> 


^. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


[  1.1 
11.25 


|J0   ^^ 

^   L£    12.0 


2.2 


U    116 


I 


Scmces 
Corpordtion 


V 


^ 


^ 


^"^^ 


¥!r 


<^^ 


v 


\ 


c\ 


.-V 


23  WKT  MAIN  STMIT 

WItSTM.N.Y.  14SM 

(716)172-4303 


.<^ 


<if 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Caniidian  Institute  for  Historical  Microraproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notea/Notas  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tho  tMat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  isa  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  aignificantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chacitad  balow. 


D 


D 


a 


D 


D 


Coiourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  couiaur 


|~~|    Covara  damagad/ 


Couvartura  andommagte 

Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurte  at/ou  palliculAa 


□   Covar  titia  miaaing/ 
La 


titra  da  couvartura  manqua 

iourad  mapa/ 
Cartaa  gAographiquaa  an  couiaur 

Coiourad  inic  (i.a.  othar  than  blua 

Encra  da  couiaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


I     I   Coiourad  mapa/ 

I     I    Coiourad  inic  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  biacic)/ 


I     I   Coiourad  piataa  and/or  iiluatrationa/ 


Planchaa  at/ou  iiluatrationa  an  couiaur 

Bound  with  othar  matarial/ 
RaiiA  avac  d'autraa  documanta 

Tight  binding  may  cauaa  ahadowa  or  diatortion 
along  Interior  margin/ 

La  r«  llura  aarrAa  paut  cauaar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
diatortion  la  long  da  la  marga  intiriaura 

Blank  laavaa  addad  during  raatoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  poaaible,  theae 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  ae  peut  que  certalnea  pagea  blanchea  aJoutAea 
iora  d'una  reatauration  aoparaiaaent  dana  la  texte, 
mala,  ioraqua  cele  Atait  poaaible,  cea  pagea  n'ont 
pea  4t4  filmiaa. 

Additional  commanta:/ 
Commantairea  aupplAmanteirea: 


L'Inatitut  a  microfilm*  la  meilleur  exemplaira 
qu'il  lul  a  At*  poaaible  de  ae  procurer.  Lea  dAtaiia 
da  cet  exemplaira  qui  aont  paut-Atre  uniques  diu 
point  de  vue  bibiiographique,  qui  pauvent  ntotillfier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exigtir  une 
modification  dana  la  mAthoda  normale  de  filmage 
aont  indiqufo  ci-deaaoua. 


□   Coloured  pagea/ 
Pagea  da  couiaur 


D 
D 

D 


D 


Pagea  damaged/ 
Pagea  endommagtea 

Pagea  raatorad  and/or  laminated/ 
Pagea  reataurAea  at/ou  palliculiea 

Pagea  diacoioured,  atainad  or  foxed/ 
Pagea  dAcolorAaa,  tachetAea  ou  piquAea 

Pagea  detached/ 
Pagea  dAtachAea 

Showthrough/ 
Tranaparance 


T 
til 


T 
P 

O' 

fi 


O 

b4 
th 
al 

01 

fli 
all 

Of 


I     I    Quality  of  print  variaa/ 


Quality  InAgaia  de  i'impreaaion 

Includea  aupplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  metAriel  auppMmantaira 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mitlon  diaponlble 


Pagea  wholly  or  partially  obacurad  by  errata 
alipa,  tiaauea,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
enaura  tha  beat  poaaible  image/ 
Lea  pagea  totalement  ou  partiadement 
obacurciaa  par  un  fauillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  AtA  fiimAea  i  nouveau  da  fagon  A 
obtenir  ia  meilleure  image  poaaible. 


Tf 
all 
Tl 

M 
dii 
an 
ba 

rifl 

rm 


Thia  item  la  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  eat  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indlquA  ci-deaaoua 

10X                          14X                           18X                          22X 

26X 

30X 

V 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

2ax 

32X 

The  copy  fHmMi  hf  haa  b««n  raproduoMl  thanks 
to  tha  sanaroaltv  of: 


Library  Division 

Provincial  ArcNvas  of  Bntitit  Columbia 


L'aMamplaIra  fllmA  f ut  raprodult  grica  A  la 
04nAroait4  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 


Tha  imagaa  appaaHng  hara  ara  tha  baat  qualhy 
poaaibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  laglbillty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  icaaplng  with  tha 
filming  contract  spaclfications. 


Laa  imagaa  auhrantaa  ont  4ti  raproduitas  avcs  la 
plus  grand  soin.  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattatA  da  i'axamplaira  film*,  at  •» 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
fllmaga. 


Original  coplaa  in  printad  papar  covers  ara  f  ilmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad  or  iilustratad  impraa- 
sion,  or  tha  bacli  covar  whan  appropriata.  Ail 
othar  original  copiaa  ara  fllmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  Iilustratad  impras- 
slon,  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illuatratad  imprassion. 


Las  axamplairas  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papiar  aat  imprimAa  sont  filmAs  an  commandant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an  tarmlnant  salt  par  la 
darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'Imprassion  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autras  axamplairas 
originaux  sont  fiimAs  wt  commandant  par  la 
pramiAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'imprassion  ou  d'illustration  st  un  tarmlnant  par 
la  darniira  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
amprainta. 


Tha  laat  racordad  frama  on  aach  microfiche 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  — ^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED ").  or  tha  symbol  Y  (moaning  "END  "), 
whichavar  appllas. 


Un  das  symbolas  suivsnts  apparattra  sur  la 
darnlAra  imaga  da  chaqua  microfiche,  salon  la 
cas:  la  symbols  -i*-  signifia  "A  8UIVRE".  la 
symbols  ▼  signifia  "FIN". 


Maps,  platas.  charts,  ate,  may  ba  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  ere  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
fiimAs  i  des  taux  da  rAduction  diffArvnts. 
Lorsqua  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  soul  clichA.  il  est  filmA  A  pertir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  an  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthoda. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

S 

6 

l.s7  Sissi'on 


:N 


SKNATE. 


Ex.  Due. 
No.  10. 


MESSAGE 


OF    THE 


PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 


COMMUNICATINR, 


III  cnnipliojice  with  a  rcsoluiion  of  the  Scurttc  of  the  \)fh  insfanf,  the 
iOfirspoiKh'nce  of  Lieufcnnnt  (rcncral  Scott,  in  trfcrcnce  to  the  {.sland 
of  Sun  Jnnn,  ond  of  liri<jadier  General  Uarney,  in  command  of  the 
department  of  Oregon. 


Jantart  30,  1860. — Rend  mid  nrdind  to  lio  on  tho  tal)li'. 

Jaxvarv  31,  18G0. — Motion  to  print  nfcrrcd  to  the  Committci-  on  Printiiii^. 

FEnutJARY  7,  IHGO. — Riport  in  favor  of  printin^ij  ilin  usuiil  number  submitted,  considered, 

nnd  airreed  to. 


To  the  Senate  of  the  United  States: 

I  tninsiiat  ^'erowith  ii  report  ol'tlio  Secretary  of  War,  with  accompany- 
inj.^  ])ap('rs,  in  answer  to  tlie  resolntion  of  the  9th  inHtant,  reijuestin^" 
tlie  President  "  to  conununicate  to  tlie  Senate  the  official  correspond- 
ence of  Lieutenant  (tenernl  Winfiehl  Scott,  in  reference  to  the  island 
of  San  Juan,  and  of  Brl^'adier  General  William  S.  Harney,  in  com- 


niand  of  the  department  of  Ore<j;on." 
Wasiiinotox,  January  IJO,  18C0. 


JAMES  BUCHANAN. 


War  Depart.mext,  January  25,  18G0. 

Sni:  In  answei-  to  the  resolution  of  the  Senate  of  the  9th  instant, 
rel'erred  l»y  you  to  this  dej>artment,  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  here- 
with copies  of  the  corresjtondence  with  Lieutenant  General  Winiield 
Scott  and  Brifiadier  (leneral  William  S.  Harney,  in  reference  to  the 
recent  difHculties  at  San  duan  island,  together  witli  all  other  papers 
of  interest  in  possession  of  tliis  department  relating  to  the  subject. 
Very  resi)ectfullv,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  B.  FLOYD, 

Secretary  of  War, 
The  President. 


JSLAMt    OF    SAN    JLAN. 


rt' 


**»• 


7//s/  of  y.dfxrH  itl'iiiinf  /<>  llic  recoil  tliljlcitll'tis  n!  San  Jium  island, 
acrottijKiii/jiii'f  //ir  rcpiul  <•('  I/k'  Svrrilnnj  of  liar  of  Jauaartj  25, 
ISOO. 


•I. 
W. 
I. 
5. 
0. 
7. 


9. 
10. 
11. 


Mr.  Miircv  tn  Mr.  Stevens,  .Inly  1  I.  lS.'»r>. 

Saiiio  to  Ml'.  ('i;iiii|thiti.  .Inly  17,  IS."!.'!. 

(Joncriil  JliUiuy  t<i  ('oli«ii(l  Casey,  July  IS.  IS.".'.). 

Siinie  to  (^ii-lai'ii  I'ickcU,  July  IS,  IS.V). 

Sjuiu'  to  (JeiH  Till  ISeoit,  .July  ili,  IS.')',!. 

Mr.  Driiikiird  to  (Jeiieial  1 1 anioy,  September  !»,  1859. 

(Jeneral  Ilanioy  to  (Jeiieral  SeotI,  Au,u;ust  1,  185U,  inclosing  peti- 

ti(»ii  ot"  (iti/.eiis  at  San  fliian. 
Same  to  the  Ailjutaiit  (JeiuTal.  Anj:;iist  7,  1S59,  inelosing  letters — 

a.  From  Colonel  Casey,  .Inly  ;»i,  with  inclomiros  Ironi  Cap- 
tain riekrtt; 

h.   From  Captain  I'iekett.  An.^ust  !»,  covering  correspoiulonco 
with  Captain  llomliy; 

c.  Proelamation  ot'  (Jovernor  DoiighiH; 

(I.  lleply  to  same,  An;j;ust  ti: 

r.  To  Captain  I'iekett,  An;;'nst  (i; 

/.  To  commander  ol'  the  I'aeilie  s(|uadron,  August  7;  antl 

(J.  To  (Jeneral  (!larke,  August  7 
Same  to  same,  August  S.  1S5'.). 
Mr.  Driid^ard  to  (Jeneral  Seott,  Septendier  10,  1859. 
General  Harney  to  same,  August  18,  1859,  inclosing  letters — 


a. 


To  Colonel  Casev,  August  S; 


12. 


i:j. 

14. 

15. 
1(>. 


17. 

18. 


b.  From  same,  August  12,  eoverinijj  eoi  !•(  sjK)ndencc  with  Ad- 

miral liaynes; 
e.  From  same,  August  14; 
//.  To  same,  Au!:;ust  Kj; 

c.  From  CJovernor  (Jholson,  August  11;  and 
/    To  Mr.  Campbell,  Aui;ust  IC,'. 

Same  to  the  Adjutant  (Jeneral,  August  25, 1859,  with  inclosures — 

a.  From  (.Jovernor  Douglas,  August  13; 

h.  Reply,  Au^Mist  21; 

c.  (Jovernor  Douglas'  message; 

(/.  Debate  thereon; 

(3.  Article  1'rom  the  ''  British  (^»loni8t." 
Same  to  same,  August  2!),  1859. 
Same  to  (Jeneral   Seott,  August  oO,  1859,  inclosing  letters  from 

C(donel  Casey,  August  22. 
Same  to  Colonel  Casey,  September  2,  1859. 
Same  to  (Jeneral  Seott,  Septendur  14,  1859,  inclosing — 

a.  AlHdavit  of  Mr.  llubbs; 

h.  AlKdavit  ol"  Mr.  (hitler; 

c.   Letter  from  Mr.  llubbs. 
(Jlovernor  (Jholson  to  (Jeneral  Harney,  August  21,  1859. 
(Jeneral  Harney  to  Mr.  Floyd,  October  10,  1859,  inclosing  letters  — 

rt.  From  Mr.  Campbell,  August  14; 

h.   From  same,  August  1)0. 


ISr.AND   OF    SAV   Jl'AN. 


11  island, 
umnj  25, 


!ing  peti- 

lettors — 
oil)  Cap- 

[^oruleiu'o 


anil 


■1\. 


!>;;. 


21. 


<!,ii.  nil  Si-ntt  to  tlic  Adjutiiiit  (JciKTal.  (K-tnlicr  2'J,  IS.j'.». 
S.niif  to  >.M''  '.  <)i'f(ilK'i'  'Jfi,  IS")'.). 
Siin.'  tM  Mr.  I'M'.yd,  (K't.-licr  27,  ls:»'>. 

(Ii  iKial  llMiiicy  til  (Jciiciiil  Scdtt,  Octuhcr  2*.>,  |.sr»*«.  imlusiiij;-  let- 
it  r  tV>iii  ("ol.'.iicl  Casey,  Octoln-r  2S. 
(Jelieiiil  Seiitt   to  Mr.   Flnyd,   1  )eceinlt('r  S,   IS.'iO,  with    iiuloviuc.'s  — 

(I.    Letter  to  (Jovi-ntor  |)oii<i;la^,  October  2.'); 

A.    Meiiioraiiiluiii  liy  Cohsiiel  Lay,  Oclolicr  2^1; 

c.    From  (loveriior  l)oii;;las,  Octolier  21); 

«/.  To  same,  Xovembc'i'  2; 

( .    i'rojet  of  settlement; 

_/'.    l''rom  (Jovcniiir  Douglas.  Ndvemhcr  \\\ 

II.  To  same,  November  .k 

A.  S|u'cial  ordfis,  Xovomber  '>; 

i.    l''rom  (Jovernor  l)oii<;las; 

J.    I'' roll!  sann',  November  7,  witli  iiicloHiire; 

/•.  Ti»  (Jovernor  l)oM,v;bis,  November'.*,  witli  inclo.stirc; 

/.    To  Captain  Hunt,  November  '.); 

m.  To  Colonel  Casey,  Novcmlicr  II; 

n.  (uMieral  Tliomu.s  to  (Jencral  Harney,  November  ',*; 

<).  (leneral  Scott  to  (ieneral  Harney;  and 

}K  Speeiul  orders. 
(Jejicral  ilaj'iiey  to  CJenerul  iSeott,  November  17,  180'J. 


vitli  Ad- 


o.suros — 


rs  from 


etterts  - 


??H5n:. 


ISLAND   OF   SAN    JUAN. 


1.    Mr.  Mdivij  fo  Mr.  S/ccciis. 

Di:i'Ai!TMi;.\T  OF  Statk, 

ll'(i.s/i!iiij/ini,  Jnhj  14,  IS,"»."). 

******** 

lit'  [tlic  I'rcsideiit]  has  iiistnicti'<l  iik'  to  say  to  you  that  tho  (•llifcrs 
of  thu  territory  shoiihl  uhstaiii  iVoiii  all  acts  uii  tlie  (lisjtutcd  j^iuiiiuls 
which  are  caU'ulatfd  to  inovokc  any  conllicts,  so  far  as  it  ran  he  done 
Avitliout  inijdyinj;  the  eoncessioii  to  the  authority  ol'  (Ireat  I'ritain  ol' 
an  exelnsive  ri<;ht  over  the  jireniises. 

The  title  ought  to  he  settled  hetore  either  party  should  exclude  the 
other  by  force,  or  exercise  complete  and  exclusive  Kttvereign  ri<;hts 
within  the  fairly  disjiuted  limits.  Apidication  will  he  made  to  the 
IJritish  j^overnment  to  interpose  with  the  local  authorities  on  the 
northern  borders  of  our  territory  to  abstain  from  like  acts  of  exclusive 
ownership,  with  the  exj)licit  understanding  that  any  tbrbearance  on 
either  iside  to  assert  the  rights,  respectively,  shall  not  be  construed  into 
any  concession  to  the  adverse  Jiarty. 

J5y  a  conciliatory  and  nutderate  course  on  both  sides,  it  is  sincerely 
hoped  that  nil  dilHculties  will  l)e  avoided  until  an  adjustment  of  the 
boundary  line  can  be  made  in  a  manner  mutually  satisfactory.  The 
government  of  the  United  States  will  do  what  it  can  to  have  the  line 
established  at  an  early  peri(jd. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  L.  MAllCV. 

His  excellency  I.I.  Stkvkxs, 

Gtn'criior  of  ll\i.sliiii(jftin  Tcrriiory,  Oli/niju'o, 


2.  Mr.  Marcj  (»  Mr.  Cranipfon. 

Dki'aut.mkxt  of  Statr, 

fra.s/ii»(//ou,  July  17,  18.");"). 

Siii:  I  am  under  some  ap]>rehension  that  ccdlision  nuiy  take  place 
between  our  citi/AMis  and  IJritish  subjects  in  regard  to  the  occupation 
of  the  tlisputed  points  along  the  line  between  \Vashington  Territory 
and  the  Uritish  possessions  on  the  niuth  of  it. 

In  the  hope  of  avoiding  such  a  ditliculty,  1  have,  by  the  direction  of 
the  President,  adtlressed  a  letter  to  the  governor  of  that  Territory  on 
the  subject,  and  herewith  furnish  you  with  an  extract  from  it.  Ipre- 
suuie  that  the  government  of  her  Ibitannic  Majesty  will  be  willing  to 
recommend  to  lier  sul))ects  along  the  boundary  in  question  a  similar 
course  until  the  line  can  be  established,  in  that  way  1  sincerely  hope 
all  collision  may  be  avoided. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  renew  to  you,  sir,  the  assurance 
of  my  high  consideration. 

W.  L.  MAllCY. 

John  F.  Cuamptox,  Esq.,  etc.,  tfr. 


Sii;: 
tlie  gflK 
and  Tow 
your  on! 
I'llLjet  s 
to  ca 
inaudin! 
The   sle 
lingham 
San  dua 
infantry 
the   stca 
general 
]»iactica 
no  surgt 
at  Tort 
plies,  hi 
medical 
diate  att 
After 
will  be  i 
by  the  w 
the  wati 
all  the  i 
Any  < 
re(|uireii 
necessar 
for  woo( 
iiiauder 
for    i)ur 
ct>mmar 
eoi'tperai 
tectiim. 
Steilaco 
i('(iuire( 
chusett* 
ponent 
In  th 
sail  oul 
on  boai 
The  shi 
furnish 
mounte 
has  bee 
the  mai 
from  a! 


ISLAND   OF   SAN    Jl'AN. 


5 


It,  is:,:,. 

* 

tlie  (idiccrH 

('•I  ^nimids 

ail  !•(■  (loiic 

Jti'itaiii  (it 

xcliidc  the 
i^'ii  rights 
ulo  to  tlic 
ii's  (111  (lie 
['t'Xilusive 
aniiu'c  (Ml 
■^triii'd  into 

N  siiiccroly 
it'iit  (»1"  the 
..ry.  The 
vo  tlio  lino 


[AllCV. 


r,  is:)'). 

talvo  ])Ia(e 

H'cujiatidu 

Territory 

i  root  ion  of 
rritory  on 
t.  1  p  re- 
willing'  to 
u  similar 
•rely  hope 

assurance 

ARCY. 


J 


n.   (icuiml  JTiintoj lo  Cnhmil  Casrij. 

Ili:AiHir Ai!Ti:i!s  Dki'Akt.mknt  of  ( )iu:<io\, 

/''n/7  Viiurnnvvr,  \V.  T.,  J  III  11  IS,  ls:»'.>. 

^11'.:  W\  Special  Orders  Xo.  "-,  herewith  inclosed,  yon  will  perceive 
tlie  <:;eii(ial  coiiiiiiinidiiiu;  has  wilhdiawn  the  {garrisons  from  I>elliii;;haiii 
and  Towiiseiid,  and  has  plaeed  the  steamer  "  .Massachusetts"  iindi-r 
viiur  onh'is  fnr  the  hetter  ]ii<t(iclioii  and  supervision  of  the  waters  of 
J'liL^M'ts  Sdiind. 

'I'o  cany  out  these  instnirtiuns  with  nioie  elfcet.  the  ;j;ciii'ral  coin- 
inandiiijj;  desires  me  to  cdmmiinicale  t(»  yon  the  fullowinj;  directions: 
The  sleamer  "Massachusetts"  will  proceed  without  delay  to  Bcl- 
lin^ham,  to  he  used  in  estaMishin<x  company  "D"'  lU  i  infantry  on 
»San  Jnan  island;  after  which  sin- will  convev  coinpaiiv  "I"  ofthe-tth 
iiifantrv  to  Steilacoom.  when  the  company  von  assi;in  for  service  on 
the  steamer  will  lie  eiiiharkcd  nn  U-r  your  supervision.  Article  :]7, 
^'eneral  regulations:  Troojis  on  Imard  of  transports  will,  as  far  as 
jiiactii'a'ole.  ;^n)vein  in  the  disj)osition  of  the  company  on  hoard.  As 
no  surjfeoii  is  availalde  for  the  ship,  medical  attendance  will  he  ohtained 
at  Fort  Steilacoom  or  San  dnaii  island,  when  re(iiiired;  medical  sup- 
plies, however,  with  directions  for  use,  will  he  tnrnished  liy  yoiir 
medical  ollii-er  for  such  prohahle  cases  of  daiij;er  as  will  re(|nire  imme- 
diate attention. 

After  the  ship  has  received  tlie  necessary  stores  and  supplies,  she 
will  ])e  instructed  t(»  cruise  in  the  sound  ain(»n<^  the  islands  fre(juented 
l>v  the  northern  Indians,  who  will  he  warned  not  to  come  into  anv  of 
the  waters  under  the  juiisdiction  of  the  Linited  States,  which  emhraces 
all  the  islands  and  currents  to  the  east  of  the  Straits  of  Ilaro. 

Any  opposition  hy  these  Indians  will  lie  sjieedily  checked,  and  the 
re<(uirenients  of  these  instructions  will  lie  maintaiiic(l  l»y  force,  if 
iiecessarv.  The  ordinary  rendezvous  of  the  steamer  Massachusetts, 
for  wood  and  water,  will  he  San  Juan  island  ;  and  should  the  C(tm- 
mander  of  that  island  desire  the  assistance  of  any  force  from  the  ship 
for  j)urposes  connected  with  the  defense  of  the  island,  the  oflicer  in 
conimand  of  the  ship  will  he  instructed  to  furnish  the  f<UTe  and 
cotiperate  with  the  trooj>s  in  all  measures  re({nirin;j;  its  safety  and  ]iro- 
tcction.  At  the  end  of  every  two  months  the  sliip  will  visit  Fort 
Steilacoom  to  (dttain  supplies,  and  \\)V  the  muster  and  inspection 
re([uire(l  hy  the  re;^ulations.  The  command  on  tlie  steamer  ]\Iassa- 
chusetts  will  lie  home  on  the  post  return  of  Fort  Steilaco(tm,  as  a  com- 
ponent part  of  its  garrison. 

In  the  ordinary  cruising  of  the  sound,  the  ship  will  l»e  jiropelled  hy 
sail  only,  hut  at  least  four  days  fuel  for  steam  Avill  lie  kei>t  constantly 
on  hoard,  to  he  used  whenever  necessity  requires  celerity  of  motion. 
The  ship  will  visit  the  light-houses  on  the  s(»und  in  her  cruises,  and 
furnish  them  any  [irotection  that  may  he  needed.  As  the  sliij)  is 
mounted  with  eight  thirty-two  ])ounder8,  and  the  jiroper  ammuiiitiitn 
has  heen  provided,  the  crew  will  he  instructed,  under  the  direction  of 
the  master  of  the  vessel  in  their  use,  to  ohtain  the  most  eflicient  action 
frum  all  parties  in  cases  requiring  it.     Whenever  circumstances  occur 


6 


ISLAND   OK   SAN    .HAN. 


rc<|iiiiiii;^  11  tlcviatidii  tVnin  llu-  tcimr  nl"  flicsc  inslriictioiis.  you  arc 
aiitlinii/fil  til  list'  yuiir  own  di.vcn'tidii  and  jikIumik  iif  in  tlic  inalfcr. 
irpoitini;  the  occurrontc  to  litis  (illicc  Tlic  ^tin  ral  coninianilin'^  is 
|iKas('(l  to  foinnniuicalc  liis  conlitlcnct'  in  llic  /.tal.  cntTjiy.  an<l  intdli- 
jiCMUT  you  cxeiriso  in  tlic  <lifchar<;c  of  yonr  dnfics  to  tlic  ^civii*<',  ami 
lie  rests  assured  tlic  details  transmitted  in  this  eoniniunieation  will  li,, 
renilered  \vitli  salisractioii  and  advantajic  to  siidi  \voitliy  (jualilic.s. 
I  aiu,  cnidiiel,  verv  resiKctriiilv,  vour  obedient  servant, 

'     '  A.   ri.KASONTON, 

f'ii))l<n/t  2<f  Dnn/Dons,  .Irfinij  JW.  A'lj  I  (niirrul. 

l/ntit.  ('(doiu'l  S.  ('.\si:v, 

'.>//<  Iii/<nifri/.  coiiiinoju/iiKj  Finl  SlvUnnxini,  Pinjcla  i^oimif. 


4.   (icucrnl  /ffiniri/  lo  fViji/aiii  PivJctft. 

IIivvntirAHTKUs, l)i;i'Ar.TMi;NT  uf  ORimox, 

Fort  VnuroHVrr,   \V.  T.,JuJ)i  IS,  IS.");*. 

Caitain  :  W)  SjK'cial  Orders  >ho.  7-,  a  copy  of  wliitli  is  inclosed,  yoii 
are  directi'd  to  establish  your  ci)ni|iany  on  Uellevue  nr  San  »linin  island, 
in  soinesuitiililo  i»osition  near  the  harhorat  llu'  southeastern  extremity. 
The  «;eneral  commanding"  instructs  me  to  say  the  <d>ject  to  he  attained 
in  placini;  you  thus  is  two-l'old.  vi/:  I'Mrst.  To  protect  the  inhahitant.s 
ol'  the'  island  iVom  the  incursions  oT  the  iKulhern  Imlians  of  I'ritish 
C'l'  Miibia  and  the  Russian  possessions.      Vou  will  not  permit  any  Ibrcc 

these  Jndians  to  visit  San  duan  island  or  the  waters  ol"  ruiict  Soiiiid 
.  (hat  vicinity  over  which  the  I'niled  Slates  have  any  jurisdiction. 
Should  these  Indians  ajtpear  peaceaMc  you  will  warn  IJuni  in  a  (|uiet 
]>ut  tirm  mannor  to  return  to  thcii-  own  country,  and  not  visit  in  future 
the  territory  of  the  Tnited  Slates:  and  in  the  event  of  iiny  opposition 
hein;i^  ollered  to  your  demands,  you  will  use  the  most  decisive  measures 
to  enfone  them  ;  to  which  end  the  commander  of  the  troops  stationed 
on  iIhj  steamer  ^rassachuselts  will  he  instructed  to  render  eveiy  assist- 
ance and  coiiperation  that  w  ill  he  necessary  to  cnahle  your  connnand 
to  fullill  the  tenor  of  tlu'se  instructions. 

Second.  Another  serious  and  im]tortant  duty  will  devidve  upon  yon 
in  the  occuitatiou  of  San  Juan  islaml.  arising'  from  tlie  conllictin;: 
interests  of  the  American  cili/ens  and  Ihe  Hudson's  IJay  Company 
estahlishment  at  that  point.  Tiiis  duty  is  to  adbrd  ade<juate  j'rotec- 
tiou  to  the  American  cili/.ens  in  their  riLilits  as  such,  and  to  nsist  all 
attempts  at  interference  hy  the  I'ritish  aullioritics  rt'sidini;'  on  Van- 
couver's Island,  hy  intimidation  or  foic<'.  in  the  controversies  of  the 
ahove-mentioned  partii's. 

This  protection  has  heen  calhd  for  in  con^e<|Uence  oi  the  chief  factor 
of  the  Iludsoirs  Bay  ("oiiipany.  Mr.  L»allas.  havin;^-  recently  visited 
San  duan  i.^land  with  a  I'ritish  slooji-of-war.  and  threati-ned  to  take  an 
American  eirixeii  liy  force  to  Victoi'ia  for  trial  hy  I'ritish  laws.  It  is 
ho[>i'd  a  sectuul  attemjit  of  this  kind  will  mil  he  made,  but  to  insure 
the  sal'ety  of  our  citizens  the  j;'eneial  commanding  directs  you  to  meet 


i 


ISLAND    OF    S\N    JIAN. 


IS.  V"ii  firo 
ln'  iiiatfcr. 
iijm<liii<^  is 
iii'l  ititclli- 
■ivicc,  Utlll 
i"M  will  I),, 
lalitics. 

iinnl. 


s,  isr,!». 

I  used,  vuii 
liui  islainl. 
I'XtrcMiity. 
K'  attained 
ilialiitaiif.s 
•  •r  P.iitislt 
I  any  lorcc 
i;ct  Sound 
risdictidti. 

ill  a  (jiiict 
t  in  I'liturc 
i'|ili(tsiti()u 
.'measures 

statidned 
cry  as.sist- 
(Miiiniand 

iil»(m  you 
oullietiii;: 
<  'onipauy 
k'  jTotec- 
resist  nil 
<>!!  Van- 
ies  of  the 

iiel"fiiet(tr 
ly  visited 
<>  take  an 
ks.  It  is 
to  iiKsure 
to  meet 


thi'  aiitliiiiities  from  N'ictniia  at  onee.  on  a  second  aiiival.  and  inroriu 
tlieiii  ilicy  eaiMmt  lie  piTuiilted  to  interfere  with  our  citizens  in  any 
wa\ .  Anv  m  i«  v!in«is  tliev  mav  alleixe  as  niiuirin'r  ndress  ean  onlv 
lie  examiiKij  under  our  own  laws,  to  which  they  must  suhrnit  their 
claiuM  in  |irn]icr  tnrni. 

The  st(  anier  .Massachii'^etts  will  lie  dirc'-led  t(t  traii^|>i>i-t  your  com- 
mand, stores,  iVe.,  to  San  diian  islaml.  when-  y<>u  aii' authorized  to 
<'onstru>'t  su(  h  tein|i<iiaiy  .--heller  as  the  lucessities  of  the  service 
demand. 

Any  materials,  as  doors,  \\ini|>-w-sasli,  thxtrinti:.  i-te..  tliat  can  he 
rendered  a\ailahle  will  he  taken  with  you  from  Kurt  l)ellin<;diam.  T(. 
>.eeiire  (o  your  eomm.ind  the  ve<^etahh-s  of  your  i^ardeii  a  small  detiich- 
nu-nt  will  he  hit  ti>  <;ather  them  when  vci'"^vn. 

The  ueueral  I'nnniiaiiiliiiu"  is  fully  satislied,  from  the  varied  experi- 
ence and  ,iudi;nieiit  displayed  hy  yuii  in  your  present  command,  tliat 
your  selection  to  the  duties  with  whicli  you  are  now  churfijcd  will 
advance  the  interests  of  the  service,  and  that  yi>ur  dis|)ositlou  of  the 
sMltjccts  (nmiu(^  within  ynur  supervision  and  action  will  enliJincc  your 
rcputatii'U  as  a  cummauder. 

In  vuiir  selection  ol"  a  position,  take  into  ennsideratlon  that  future 
<-ontiu;j;cncies  may  r<<|uire  an  estahlishment  uf  from  four  to  six  com- 
panies I'etaiiiiiiu'  the  cnnimand  of  the  San  .hian  Iuii'Imu'. 

1  am.  captain.  ver\'  respectfullv.  vi'ur  ohcdient  servant, 

A.    I'LHASONTON. 
('iijihi'in  '111  DrtniiHHis,  ^I'l'iHij  A''slshiul  Ailjnlduf  (t'l  nrritl. 

Captain  (ii;oi;iu;  rieuHTT, 

CoiiiiiHiiultiKj  (■(Oii/imti/  •'//'  [)/It  In/it  III  nj. 

Fitrt  l>(lliii'//i")if,  Pn'jrf's  Smnxl. 


i 


,").    (Iciurtil  IldiiKi/  tn  (nhCi'id  Scu't. 

Hkadi.h  .\inr,i!s  DKi'Ai:T."\n;NT  of  Oukcon', 

Furl  roui'rixvrr,  jr.  T.,,litlj  l'>,  1859. 

On  the  moriiini;'  <d'  the  '.)th  instant  1  left  Victoria  and  visited  liellc- 
\ue.  or  San  duaii  island,  ahout  ten  miles  to  the  east  (tf  ^'anc()UVor'p 
Island,  (in  the  o))posile  side  ot'  tlu'  Straits  id"  llaro.  This  island  is 
tiflei'ii  miles  long  and  live  or  six  hroad.  It  contains  iine  timher,  good 
watir,  and  L!;rass,  aud  is  the  most  eommandini;-  position  we  ])()Hsess  on 
tlie  sduitd:  o\erlo(dcin,i.;-  the  Straits  of  Haro.  the  Straits  of  Fuca,  and 
the  liosario  strait,  it  is  the  most  siiitahle  jtoint  Irom  which  to  ohserve 
and  prevent  the  northeiu  Indians  I'rom  visiting  our  settlements  to  the 
siputh  id'  it.  At  the  southeastern  extremity  one  of  the  liu(,'st  harbors 
<»n  this  coast  is  tt»  he  found,  eom])letcdy  sheltered,  ollering  tlu;  best 
location  for  a  naval  station  on  tlu'  Tacitie  coa^t. 

The  Hudson's  I'ay  Cnmpany  have  an  estahlishment  on  this  island  for 
the  purpose  of  raising  sheep,  which  they  export  at  eight  dollars  a 
head.     Twenty-live  Americans,   with  their  families,   are  also  living 


8 


ISLAM)   OF    SAN    JUAN. 


Upon  tlic  isliiiul;  and  I  was  jtctitinncil  liy  tlirni  tliion^li  tlic  rnilctl 
Stafrs  inspector  of  ciisttinis,  Mr.  Ilnlilis,  to  plarc  a  litivc  upon  llic 
island  to  pidtict  tlicni  iVoin  llic  Indians,  as  will  as  the  oppii'ssivo 
inti'it'c'rc'nci'<»t'tlieautlioiitii.'sol"  file  Iliidstrn's  I'ay  ('oni|>any  at  Victoria. 
with  tlicir  rij^iits  as  Anu-ricaii  cili/cns.  Mr.  IluMis  int'orincd  nic  that 
u  short  time  hcl'ore  my  arrival  tli"  chict'  factor  of  the  company  at  Vii- 
toria,  Mr.  Dallas.  stm-in-Iaw  of  (Jovcrnor  Donirlas,  came  to  the  island 
in  the  liritlsh  slui)p-(»f-\var  Satellite,  and  threatened  to  take  one  of  the 
Americans  by  fnrce  to  Victoria  for  shodtinj^  a  ]ii<x  (d'  the  company. 
The  American  seized  his  ritlo  and  told  Mr.  Dallas  if  any  HU<-h  attemjil 
was  made  he  would  kill  him  on  the  sj>ot.  The  affair  then  ended. 
The  American  oll'cred  to  pay  to  the  company  twice  the  value  of  the 
pi<X,  which  was  refused. 

To  jirevent  a  rej)etition  of  this  (»ntra<;e.  I  have  ordered  the  company 
at  Fort  Jiellinjiham  to  he  estahlished  on  San  Juan  island  for  the  pro- 
tection of  our  citizens,  and  the  steamer  Afassachusetts  is  directeil  tu 
rendezvous  at  that  place  with  a  second  i-onipany  to  ]>roteet  our  inter- 
ests in  all  parts  of  the  sound.  ***** 

I  am,  sir,  verv  respectfullv,  vour  ohedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  S.  HAHNEY, 

Jtilffiidkr  (!tiiir((f,  C(niiin(niif!ii'f. 

The  As.-!I.';t.\xt  Ad-jitaxt  Gknku.m-, 

JIcttdqiKirtcn  of  the  Ai'ini/,  Wcw  York  Clfy. 


ciiniinii 
Ill-en  di 
eonjun 
«|\i«'>ti< 

In 
aulli"! 

protect 

intursi 
view  ( 
sli'iult 


I'.ri-: 


0.  Mr.  Drhihird  to  (icncral  Ilurni'ii. 

"\V.\R  \)v.v\\\iy\vsT,  S( pfvmhcr  ?>.  18.')'.). 

Sill :  Your  dispatch  of  the  10th  Jidy  last,  addressed  to  the  <::eneral- 
in-chief,  has  Leen  forwarded  to  this  dejiartment,  and  laid  before  the 
President  for  his  consideration. 

The  President  was  not  prepared  to  learn  that  you  had  ordered  mili- 
tary ])ossession  to  bo  taken  of  the  island  of  San  Juan  or  IJellevue. 
Althou}j;h  he  believes  the  Straits  of  llaro  to  be  the  true  l)oundary 
between  (jlreat  Britain  and  the  United  States,  under  the  treaty  id' Juno 
15,  1840,  and  that,  conseijuently,  this  island  belonj^s  to  us,  yet  ho 
liad  not  anticipated  that  so  decided  a  step  would  have  been  resorted  to 
without  instructions.  In  cases  respecting  territory  in  disj)ute  between 
friendly  nations  it  is  usual  to  sudor  the  .slatu-s  oi'  the  parties  to  remain 
until  tlio  dis))ute  is  terminated  one  way  or  the  other,  and  this  more 
esi»oeially  whilst  the  question  is  pendinpj  for  decision  before  a  joint 
conunission  of  the  two  {governments.  If  you  had  j^ood  reason  to 
believe  that  the  colonial  authorities  of  Great  P>ritain  were  about  to 
disturb  the  status,  by  takin<:j  j)ossession  of  the  island  and  assuming; 
jurisdiction  over  it,  you  were  in  the  ri<xht  to  anticipate  their  action. 
*****  The  President  will  not,  for  the  jtresent, 
form  any  decido<l  o])inion  upon  your  course  on  the  statement  of  facts 
jtresented  in  your  disi)atch.  lie  Mill  await  further  details,  which  ho 
expects  to  receive  from  you  by  the  next  steamer.     He  is  especially 


1 


ISLAN'I)    OF    SAN    JUAN. 


9 


'    ll|i(iM    (lie 

<'|»j>ivs.sivi' 

tt  Vic-folia, 

I'll  iiu-  (liar 

my  at  Vh- 

Hic  island 

nlU'  (if  tlir 

<'«»jiij»aiiy. 

'Il  Uttclll)it 
I'M    ClKJcd. 

iIiK'  of  the 


'  ('<»iii|iany 
r  tlic  pro- 
liii'ctcd  f.. 

our  iiitcr- 

*  * 


nuh'iHf. 


:,  18.") 'J. 

'  p'licral- 
X'fure  the 

'I'cd  iiiili- 
IJt'lk'viU'. 
"•iiiidary 
'  <»t' June; 
,  yot  lie 
sorted  to 

between 
i>  remain 
lis  more 
J  a  joint 
L'fi.son  to 
ubout  to 
s.snmiuj; 
r  action, 
present, 

of  tiicts 
•liicli  lie 
ipcciallv 


uhxiuiis  to  ascertain  wlietlier,  lii-fort'  you  ]>rocceded  to  act,  ynu  liad 
luniniuniejitcd  wiiji  ('nnHnissiuner  ('ain|il»('ll.  who  could  not  tJH'n  have 
lii'cn  distant  iVoiii  vou.  and  who  was  intrn  ted  hy  this  }^oV('rnin('nt,  in 
conjinirtion  uith  t!ie  IWitishcoinmisjiionfr,  to  decide  this  very  Imundary 

((Ui'stioU. 

in  tlif  nnantinn'  care  ouf^ht  to  he  take!!  to  apprise  the  P.iitisli 
authoiilies  that  possession  has  thus  lieen  taken  s<dely  with  the  view  ot" 
protectinij  the  ri.Ljhts  of  our  citizens  on  the  island,  and  preventing  the 
incursions  of  the  northern  ln<''ans  into  our  territory,  antl  imt  with  any 
view  of  prejndiriii;^'  the  <|nestion  in  dispute  or  retaining;  the  islainl 
sh'iuld  the  t|uesti(in  he  finally  decideil  au;ainst  the  I'nited  tStatcs. 
Verv  resnectfullv,  vour  ohedii'iit  si-rvant, 

W.  11.   DRINKAin), 

Ailluij  Scirffirif  i>/'  ll'ni'. 
Hrieatlicr  (Jeiieral  Wm.  S.  IIarxit, 

(.'oiiiiu<iH</hi<j  ihjKirhnoil  of  Omjon,  Fort  Vaucoiivci'. 


7.   (icnci'dl  ILirnvy  to  Gcio  ml  Snttf. 

IIeai»qi:artkks  Dki-autmkxt  of  OuKtio.v, 
Fori  VanroHvcr,  W.  T.,  Auijast  1,  Isr/.). 

Sii; :  1  hav(^  the  honor  to  inclose,  for  the  infortnation  of  the  <;eneral- 
i;i-(  liief,  a  cupy  of  a  petition  oi"  the  American  citizens  on  San  Juan 
island,  I'ui^et's  (Sound,  for  protection  fnnii  the  constant  incursions  of 
marandini:;  Indians. 

The  re(|uirements  of  this  ])eti(ion  were  anticipated  l>y  the  estahlish- 
nieiit  of  Company  ''!),"  IHli  infantry,  upon  the  island,  and  the  dis- 
position of  the  steamer  Massachusetts  to  act  in  concert  with  that  com- 
jiany,  as  contained  in  Special  Orders  No.  72  from  these  head«|uarters, 
a  copy  of  which  order  has  already  heen  transmitted  to  your  olHce. 
1  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  S.  IIAUNEV, 
Bn'tjntfitr  (hncrc'l,  Cuimnataflnfj. 
AssrsTAXT  Ad.htant  Okxeral, 

JliiiiJqinirtvr.s  of  iln'  Armj,  New  Yorh  City. 


J 


7  a. 

San  Juan  Island,  July  11^  1859. 

To  (inieral  Ilnrnvn,  Ctnnm(tndvr-in-ChU'f 

of  the  Pacific  divWion  of  the  United  States  anny: 

Tlie  undersigned,  American  citizens  on  the  island  of  San  Juan,  would 
respectfully  rejiresent:  That  in  the  month  of  April,  in  the  year  one 
thousand  ei;:;ht  hundred  and  fifty-ei<;ht,  the  house  of  the  United  States 
ins) lector  of  customs  tor  this  island  was  attacked  and  fired  into  in  the 
nie;ht  by  a  party  of  Indians  living  on  this  island,  and  known  as  the 
Clallams,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  timely  aid  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company,  the  inspector  wouM  have  fallen  a  victim  to  their  savage 
dcsi<;ns.  In  the  month  of  July  following  we  found  on  the  beach,  close 
to  the  above-mentioned  Indian  camp,  the  bodies  of  two  white  men, 


1 


10 


ISLAND   OF    SAN   JUAN. 


ap])arontly  Ainoriciins,  wlio  luul,  avIicii  iomid,  cottftn  cord."  about  tlunr 
necks  wliicli  had  Ix'cu  used  to  iniu'cal  tliem  uudiT  water.  Last  tall 
another  (hiring  murder  was  eonniiitted  in  the  niiddh'  of  the  d:iy,  and 
in  tlio  plain  sii^ht  of  us  all  here,  without  the  sliiihtest  clianee  of  our 
renderiu'^  them  assistant'.  Only  ten  days  au'o  another  hody  was 
found  Oh  our  shore  Avhieh  had  heeii  the  victim  of  foul  play.  Inclusive 
with  the  ahove  dangers  that  we  are  ex[Kised  to  from  our  neighhoring 
Indians,  we  are  continually  in  fear  of  a  descent  ujion  us  hy  the  hands 
of  marauding  northern  Indians,  who  infest  these  waters  in  large  num- 
bers, and  are  greatly  retarding  the  })rogre.ss  of  the  settlement  of  this 
island. 

According  to  the  treaty  concludedJunc  15,  iSlH,  lietween  the  United 
States  and  Urcat  Britain,  (the  provisions  of  which  are  ]dain.  obvious, 
and  pointed  to  ns  all  here.)  this  and  all  the  islands  east  of  the  Canal 
de  liai'o  belong  to  us  ;  we  therefore  claim  American  protectiun  in  our 
jiresent  exposed  and  defenseless  position. 

With  a  vicAv  of  these  facts,  and  for  the  essential  advantage  of  having 
this  and  the  surrounding  islands  immediately  settled,  we  most  earnestly 
pray  that  you  will  have  stationed  on  this  island  a  suflicicnt  military 
ibrce  to  ])rotect  us  from  the  above-mentioned  dangers  until  we  become 
sufficiently  strong  to  protect  ourselves. 


J.  ]\I.  Haggarct. 
Sanniel  ^McCauley. 
J.  E.  lliggins. 
Chas.  Il.'ilubbs. 
L.  A.  Cutlar. 
"William  liutler. 
J.  ]).  AVarren. 
H.  Wharton,  jr. 
John  Witty.'  " 
B.  H.  Andrews. 
John  Hunter  MacKav 


Noil  Ent. 
Micluud  Farris. 


(leorgf^ 


e  Perkins. 


Alex.  i\[cI)onald. 
I'etcr  Johnson. 
Angus  ^FeDonahl. 
William  Smith. 
Charles  iMcCov. 
1).  W.  Oakes." 
Paul  K.  Ilubbs,  jr. 
Paul  K.  Ilubbs." 


whit 
fiun\ 
In 
state 
islan 
the  i 
islan 

to 

inspi 

jtlaii 

upon 

conn 

bav( 

win 

six 

iluUS 


8.   Hern  red  lianu-^  (u  (he  ^liljufant  f/cncral. 

IlKADQrAllTEItS   DnPAirrMKNT    OV   C)l'>]^('iO\. 

Fort  VdHcouirr,  W.  7'.,  A>tf/Hst  7.  IH.^). 

Cot-0\kl:  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose,  for  the  information  of  the 
War  Department,  a  copy  of  a  proclamation  of  (Jovernor  Douglas  of 
her  Britannic  Majesty's  island  of  Vancouver,  also  a  cojiy  of  my  rejily 
to  the  same,  with  a  copy  uf  a  letter  I  have  addressed  to  the  senior  ofli- 
cor  of  our  navy  on  this  coast,  requesting  hiin  to  send  a  projicr  ibrce  to 
observe  the  Briti  si  I  vesscls-oi-war,  which  are  being  used  to  tiiveaten, 
with  attempts  to  intimidate,  our  people  on  the  Sound. 

I  Inivc  also  the  honor  to  inclose  a  convspoudence  between  Captain 
Georgp  Pickett,  Utli  infantry,  commanding  on  San  Juan  island,  ami 
Captain  Ilornbv,  the  senior  officer  commanding  her  Ma'ie.stv's  shiiKS 
"Tribune,"  "Phimper,"  and  "Satellite."         '  •      •  i 

The  threatening  attitude  the  l*ritisli  authorities  have  seen  proj»er 
to  assume,  has  caused  me  to  order  Lieutenant  Colonel  Casr  to  rein- 
force Captain  Pickett  with  his  three  companies  from  Fort  Sleiiacoom, 


i 


ra 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    Jl'AN. 


u 


d»)ut  their 

Last  fall 

I'  <l:iy,  and 

lice  (if  onr 

Ixxiy   wai-i 

liiclnsive 

'i^liliorin.u 

tlu'  ])an(ls 

ari;-e  num- 

iit  of  this 

tlie  I'll i tod 

I.  ohviouK. 

the  Canal 

ion  in  our 

of  haviiij^ 

earnestly 

1  military 

ve  heconif 


■ris. 

cins. 

nald. 

on. 

oriahl. 

ith. 

V 

'S. 

hbs,  ir 


bbs. 


u  of  the 
'ii^'ias  of 
ny  reply 
rii(tr  otii- 
'  foret>  to 
iireaten. 

TaptaiM 

Mid,  and 

.s  shi]>.s 

1  jiroper 
lo  rein- 
lucoom, 


\v1\ich   jiust    will   \>v  orrnjiiiil   hv  t-iur  i-ojiijianies  of  tlie  ;5d   artillery 
from  V^vi  A'niieoiiver  until  further  uidi'is. 

In  inv  re]wiit  <«f  ,luly  l!>.  1^^.')'J.  t«>  the  h(ad<|uarters  of  the  army,  1 
stilted  I  hail  ordered  tin-  company  from  Fort  I»ellim;h;im  to  San  duan 
inland  to  protect  tlie  American  eiti/cns  residing;  on  tliat  ishmd  from 
the  insults  and  indi^iiiities  which  the  IJritish  authorities  of  N'ancouver's 
island  did  not  hesitate  to  (dfer  them  on  every  occasion.  ( )n  niy  visit 
to  San  .hian  island,  mentioned  in  that  report,  the  I'nit<'d  States 
inspector  of  cnstonis  on  the  island,  Mr.  Unhhs,  made  an  olHcial  com- 
jdaint  in  hehalf  ol"  the  American  citizens  of  the  outrages  ]»erpetrate(l 
upon  liiem  hy  tlie  I'lilish  authorities  of  Vancouver's  Island,  who  are 
connected  with  the  Iluilsons  iSav  Coinpanv  estahlishment,  ami  wdio 
have  a  sheep  farm  on  the  island.  This  company  juctend  to  own  the 
wlude  island,  w  Inch  is  some  tifteen  or  twenty  miKs  lon^  and  tive  (tr 
si.x  hroad — while  their  impr«ivements  on  the  island  are  a  few  ohl 
houses  and  some  small  iields  under  inclosure. 

A  week  Ol-  ten  days  ai:;o,  hefore  my  arrival  <»n  that  island,  one  of  the 
Americans  shot  a  ])i<:f  l»(don<j;inii  to  the  Hudson's  I'ay  ('omi>any,  after 
having-  lieeii  e'leatly  ])rovoked  hy  the  ]ierson  in  chari^i',  to  whou)  he 
liad  applied  to  have  the  jiii;'  .'-(■cured,  as  it  damajxt'd  his  Iields.  This 
re(|uest  was  treated  with  contempt,  and  the  pi;^  was  slK)t,  the  American 
(dferini;'  twice  the  value  for  the  animal,  which  was  refused.  The  next 
day  the  I'ritish  ship-of-war  ••Satellite,"  v.  ith  Mr.  Dallas  on  hoard, 
who  is  the  chief  liictor  of  the  Hudson's  Uay  CVuupany,  and  a  son-in- 
law  of  (Jovenior  Douulas,  visited  the  islaml  and  threatened  to  take 
tli(!  .\merican  to  \'ictoria,  hy  l"orce.  for  trial.  The  American  resisted, 
seized  his  riHe,  and  in  return  told  3Ir.  Dallas  he  miiilit  take  him,  hut 
lu;  wonhl  kill  him  lirst.  I  was  alsit  informed  that  the  Hudson's  l»ay 
Company  had  threatened  at  ditferent  times  to  send  the  northern  In- 
tlians  down  n])on  them  and  drive  them  from  the  island.  This  state- 
ment has  since  been  coniirmed  lo  me  hy  some  of  the  most  reliable 
citizens  of  the  Sound.  I  felt  it  mv  dutv  therefore  to  "ive  these  citizens 
the  ])rotection  they  sought  with  such  just  and  |»ressin<:^  claims. 

CJovernor  Dou^u'las  is  the  tatlu>r-in-law  of  ^Ir.  Dallas,  and,  havinsi; 
the  local  rank  of  vice-admiral,  he  conimanils  the  IJritish  Uiivy  in  the 
Sound.  This  accounts  in  some  measure  for  the  use  of  the  British 
ships-of-war  in  the  supei'vision  of  the  interests  of  the  Hudson's  IJay 
( 'om[iany.  'I'o  attiMiipt  to  take,  by  an  armed  force,  an  American  citizen 
from  our  soil,  to  be  tried  by  British  laws,  is  an  insult  to  our  Hag  and 
an  outrage  ujion  the  rights  of  our  j>eopb>,  that  has  roused  them  to  a 
high  state  of  indignation.  I  therefore  most  respectfully  re<iuest  the 
Presid  "lit  to  consider  the  lu'cessilics  for  an  increased  naval  force  on 
this  station,  to  give  conlidence  to  the  pct'ide  that  their  rights  will  be 
resjiected. 

It  wouhl  be  well  for  the  P.iitish  government  to  know  the  American 
peojile  of  this  coast  will  never  sanction  any  claim  they  may  assert  to 
any  other  island  in  Pugefs  Sound  than  that  of  Vancouver's,  soutli  of 
the  4'.lth  paralhd  and  east  of  the  Canal  de  llaro;  any  attemjit  at  pos- 
sc.ssion  by  them  will  be  followed  by  a  collision. 

I  desire  to  assure  the  departmiMit  that  while  there  is  no  one  more 
desirous  than  mysidf  for  an  amicable  settlement  of  the  difHcultics 
nvlHcd  by  the  British  authoritie«  of  Vancouver's  Island  at  this  time,  1 


ISLAND   OP  SAN-   JI-a.V. 


12 

^^     SAN    JrA.V. 

s'mll  use  all  the  moan.  ..f. 

•i-'^'^umo,!  in  ro<.,i,(t     '  'i   "^V'>"nnan,l  t,,  niafnf-iin  th 

;^tatcu,,ent«  of  a  ,lo.^       «>;'^'<lerafion  nn-,  ,f     "?,  /  "'"  ^•■."V'"^'^'-'  that 

J  H»i,  colonel,  verj  ^'il.    ee   •nil'*'  "'  '^""  '^"■'^"-  '  ^'"'  '" 

^    ^•si'cctfully,  your  obedient  servant 

anJ  twenty  men   t .  '^'•''''^'  ^'^  the  same  .h  .,      '  t  ^^''  ^''^nntry,  ihr 

Semiahmo-o.    '"'  '"  ^"^l^^^'^  ^'«'-  Juty  wi^tV   bZl  ^"^'"^^'"^'"^  ^''aaff 
„  i  We  directed  the  aetin.        •  '  ^^'^^nnis.i^.n,  at 

ther  orders,  fo  tiI-„  „i    ^  ""'  ""^  *W)  T,riv.,t„.i         '  *"  *'"s  jmst 

.  I  have  incloslf  fe  f  "'-  I'-Uio'q  a  u  ■s''^,  J  '  ""i''^'  '"'fil  i"r- 
iiications  wliicl,  i  ,!       '"-  "''"™at  on  of  tl„.'        '",    Sm-iloiiK. 

tl'o  Hudson's  Wn  P'^*'''  ■>«'>'««  Cunt    r,';T'';'"''l'''™  "l'^-""nn„- 
ft-om  tl,o  cantain'^  Company  at  San  Jia      ,  ' ,      ''"* '""'  'I'"  ""<■  .t    f 

t'e....    Tl,o  anthodfe  on  tl.rV;^  '"'"■»"  "'  -to     n,  w;;,"'  ^''l""'" 

">>}oui  obedient  servant 

^^^^'  ^linin,  July  3(j^ 


U' 


? 


w 


•"  r  hnvQ 
'f<^''l  fliat 
fl  to  tho 

/i»rf(.'ifo(l 

'«  hut  to 


i»i/. 


ISLAND   OF    SAN   JUAN. 


8«  1 


13 


Military  Camp, 
San  Juan  hhmd,  W.  T.,  July  30,  1850. 

^Iv  l^PiAH  Ciiloxkl:  I  lijivc  the  honor  tit  inclose  you  some  notes  which 
iiiissed  this  inorninu'  hetween  tlie  llmlsnu's  nav  iiuthorities  and  nivself. 
From  tlie  threatening  attitmle  ot'atVairs  at  jiresent,  I  deem  it  my  duty 
to  re(|uest  tliat  the  3Iassaehusetts  may  he  sent  at  once  to  tliis  point. 
I  (h»  not  know  tliat  any  actual  collision  will  take  place,  l)ut  it  is  not 
comt'orlalile  to  be  lyin.ijj  within  ranj^e  of  a  couple  ot"  war  steamers. 
The  "Trihune,"  a  30-j:;un  iVijiate,  is  lying  broadside  to  our  canij),  and 
tVom  jtresent  indications  everythinj;  leads  me  to  su|>pose  that  they  will 
attempt  to  [)revent  my  carryin;^  out  my  instructions. 

It' you  have  any  boats  to  sjtare  I  shoidd  by  hapjn'to  p;et  one  at  least. 
The  only  whale  lioat  we  had  was,  mostuntbrtunately,  staved  on  the  day 
of  onr  de])urture. 

We  will  be  very  much  in  want  of  some  tocds  and  camp  e(|uipaj^e,  I 
liave  n(»t  the  time,  colonel,  to  make  out  the  ])roper  re(|uisitio!i,  but  if 
your  quartermaster  can  .scud  us  some  of  these  articles  it  will  be  of  great 
service. 

1  am,  sir,  in  haste,  very  trulv,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  E.  PICKETT, 

Captain  S)th  Infanfry. 

Lieutenant  Cidonel  S.  Casey, 

y///  Lifantry,  Commanding  Fort  Sfeilacoom,  W.  T. 

P.  S.  The  Shubrick  has  rendered  us  every  assistance  in  her  power; 
and  I  am  much  indel)ted  for  the  kindness  of  officers. 


t    I 


8rt  2. 

FiELLEViE  Farm,  San  Juan,  July  30,  1859. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  island  of  San  Juan, 
on  which  your  camp  is  pitched,  is  the  projierty  and  in  the  occupation 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  to  re(iuest  that  you  and  the  whole 
of  the  i>arty  who  have  landed  froiu  the  American  vessels  will  imme- 
diately cease  to  occupy  the  same.  Should  you  be  unwilling  to  com]dy 
A\ith  my  reijuest,  1  feel  bound  to  apply  to  the  civil  authorities.  Await- 
ing your  reply, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant. 

CHAS.  JNO.  GRIFFIN, 
Agent  Hudson  s  Bay  Company. 

Captain  Pickett,  (tc,  d'c,  d'c. 


8  a  3. 

Military  Camp, 
Sail  Juan,  W.  T.,  July  30,  1859. 

Sir:  Your  communication  of  this  instant  luis  been  received.  I  have 
to  state  in  reply  that  I  do  not  acknowledge  the  right  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  to  dictate  my  course  of  action.     I  am  here  by  virtue  of 


14 


ISI.AM)    <»K    SAN"    .H'AN". 


{Ill  (H'dcr  rnmi  my  L^ovtTiim.Mit,  au«l  sliall   it-uiaiii   till    fv'Ciilkil   I'y   the 

8111IU'  illltlidlitV  . 

1  am,  sir.  vc  rv  rfspocirullv,  vcnir  <ilii'ili<'iit  .<civ;iiit, 

'  '       (;i:()1{(;k  i:.  i'Ickktt. 

C(ii>lii(ti  will  r.  S.  Iii/iinlri/,  CommnndiiKj. 
Mr.  ('iiAia.i:^  J.  (luiriiN, 

^l(jtnf  ILiuIhou  H  B(uj  ('(niijKnit/,  S<n(  •Juan  h^'ikd,   11.  7. 


•  (I 


Mn.iTAiiv  I'lKi'. 
S(tii  Jiuui.   \V.  7'.,  Aiiijnsf  ;!,  10/).  m. 

Cait.mv:  I  liavi'  tlu;  lnuior  to  rcjiort  iiic  rolliiwiiiLi;  circniiistaiK'eH : 
The  JJrilish  shi;«s  (he  "Tiihmio."  the  "  lMiiiiiiK'f,"',au(l  the  "Satellite" 
arc  lyirii.?  Iieie  in  a  ineiiaeiinj;  attitude.  1  have  heeii  iraiiictl  (>(}'  l>y  llie 
liudsdn's  l>ay  a;:;eiit;  then  a  suiiiiiitnis  was  sent  nie  In  a|)))ear  helore  a 
Mr,  De  ('(Uirey,  an  nnieial  t»t  her  Uritannie  Majesty,  To-day  I  leeeivod 
the  inclosed  e*innuiinieations,  and  I  also  inelose  my  answei'  tn  same. 

1  Jiad  to  deal  with  three  captains,  and  1  thought  it  hetter  to  take  tlie 
hrunt  oi"  it.  They  have  a  foree  so  much  superior  to  mine  that  it  will 
he  merely  a  mouthful  lor  them  ;  still  I  have  ini'ornud  them  that  1  am 
here  hy  order  ol"  my  commandini^  general,  and  will  maintain  my  [)osi- 
tion  it"  ])ossihle. 

They  wish  to  have  a  conjoint  occupation  of  the  island  :  1  decline 
anythinL,^  of  that  kind.  They  can,  if  they  elioose,  land  at  almost  any 
])ointon  tlu'  ishuul,  and  I  cannot  prevent  them.  1  liavtMised  the  utmost 
courtesy  and  delieacy  in  my  intercourse;  and,  if  it  is  possihle,  ])leaHe 
inform  me  at  such  an  early  hour  as  to  prevent  a  Cidlision.  'V\\v  utm(»st 
1  could  c.xjtect  to-day  was  to  siisjiend  any  pr(»ceeding  till  they  have  time 
to  digest  ii  jiill  which  I  gave  them.  They  wish  to  throw  the  onus  on 
mc,  because  I  ret'u.scd  to  allow  them  to  land  an  e(|ual  force,  and  each  of 
U8  to  have  military  occu]»ation,  thereby  wiping  out  hotli  eivil  authori- 
ties. 

1  sav  I  cannot  do  so  until  I  hear  from  tlie  general. 

I  have  endeavored  to  impress  them  with  the  idea  that  my  authority 
comes  directly  through  you  from  Washington. 

The  'Tleiailes"  left  this  morning  for  San  Francisco  with  Colonel 
Hawkins. 

The  e.vcitemcnt  in  Victoria  and  here  is  tremendous.  1  sn|>])ose  some 
five  hundred  jteople  have  visited  us.  I  have  had  to  use  a,  great  deal  of 
my  pe((ci'-in(i/i'ii>(/  disposition  in  order  to  restrain  some  of  the  sovereigns. 

Please  excuse  this  hasty,  and  1  am  almost  afraid  unintclligil)le, 
Icttci',  hut  the  steamer  is  waiting,  and  T  have  heen  writing  under  the 
most  unfavorahle  circumstances.  J  must  add  that  they  seem  to  doubt 
the  authority  of  the  general  commanding,  and  do  not  wish  to  acknowl- 
edge his  light  to  occupy  this  island,  which  they  say  is  in  dis|)utc, 
unless  the  United  States  government  have  decided  the  (|uesli(in  with 
Great  Britain.  I  have  so  far  staved  them  oil',  by  saying  that  the  two 
governments  have  Avithcmt  doubt  settled  this  ail'air  ;  but  this  state  of 
affairs  cannot  last,  therefore  I  most  rcsjtcctfully  ask  thiit  an  express  be 
sent  me  imme<liatelv  on  mv  future  guidance.     I  do  not  think  there  are 


ISLAND    OF    SAN   JUAN. 


15 


'}■  the 


I 


any  luoincnts  to  wiistc  In  order  to  iiiiiintiiiii  oin-  ditj;!!!!)'  we  must 
'  (riipy  ill  furrc,  oi  iillnw  (hem  to  lauil  iiii  v(\n;v\  t'oiH-o,  wiiicli  tiny  c.in 
ilo  now.  iiml  |iu,-sil(]y  will  <\<>  in  s]Mtc  of  //*// <li|)loiiiiU'y. 

I  Ii.ivc  iIk!  hniior  Lo  iiulosL' (ill  llio  corrc'S|tiiii(k'iu'e'  wliicli  lias  taken 
jiliu'c  lio|iiiij4  that  my  course  of  action  will  meet  witli  the  ajiproval 
III"  the  L;i'uiTal  comiiiaicliiii;-,  uiid  tlial  I  may  hear  from  him  iu  regard 
In  iMV  tut  me  course  at  onc<', 

i  r-'inaiu,  'aptaiu,  V(Uir  ohedieut  servant, 

(;.   ]■].   IMCKHTT, 
Cnpldht  \)t]i  lafaiih'D^  Cotuinandimj  Post. 
<'a})tain  A.  ru; \sonton. 

Mouiiliif  /)r'i(/t>())is,  ^t(f/'ul(i,if  (f'.'(rnl, 

Dcjxir/iiK  at  of  ()ir(/o)i.  Fort  Votirouvcr,   fV.  T. 

[liir.li).sitri's.] 

1.  Captain  Hornby  to  Captain  Tickett,  An,uii.st  '^. 

2.  ('apta,iii  I'ickett  to  Captain  Hornby,  Aut;-ust  o. 
;>.  Captain  llornl)y  to  (Aiptain  Tickett,  Au;j,ust  W. 
•t.  Same  to  same,  i\u^nst  .'>. 

o.   Captain  I'ickett  to  Captain  llornljy,  August  \\. 


8^1. 

]1i:r  Majmsty's  iSiiiP  "TiunuNi:," 
(u-i'lJui  B(til,  Jdand  of  Son  Jiinn,  AmjiutW,  1859. 

Siii:  Having  received  instructions  from  his  excellency  (Governor 
Douglas  to  communicate  with  you  iu  rol'erenco  to  the  landing  ul"  the 
United  States  troops  under  your  c<immand  on  the  island  o'i  San  Juan, 
I  have  the  honor  to  pro{)ose  a  meeting  shouhl  take  place  between  your- 
self and  any  other  ollicers  of  the  United  States  military  ibrces  on  the 
one  ])art,  and  ca))tains  of  her  Britannic  jMajesty's  shii»s  on  the  other, 
(on  hoard  her  lAlajesty's  ship  "  Tribune,")  at  any  hour  that  may  ho 
convenient  to  you,  that  wo  may,  if  possible,  conclude  such  arraugo- 
monts  as  will  tend  to  ])rosorvo  harmony  between  the  sulyects  of  tho 
two  States  in  tliis  islan<l, 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

GKOFFIIEY  rJUrrS  IIOIINBY,  Captain. 

"aptain  TicKinT, 

(hittmaudlii'j  Detachment  United  States  Troops,  hland  San  Juan. 


H  b2. 

Military  Po>t, 
San  Juan,  W.  T.,  Antjmt  W,  1859. 

Sir:  Your  communication*  of  this  instant,  favored  by  fiieutenant 
Dunlop,  has  boon  received.  I  have  tho  honor  to  say,  in  re[»ly,  that  I 
shall  most  cheorfully  moot  yourself,  and  whatever  ollicers  of  hor 
Majesty's  service  that  you  may  select,  in  my  camp  at  whatever  hour 


16 


ISLAM)    OF   SAN    JUAN'. 


you  may  clioosc  to  dcsij^'nutc.     I'e  assured  that  my  "svisli  covR'sponus 
with  yours  to  ))reserve  harmony  between  our  resjjeetive  j^overniuents. 
1  remain,  sir,  very  resiteetluily,  vour  ohedieut  servant, 

GEORGE  K.  P1CKI«:TT, 
('(ipfain  ^Jlh  Uidhd  Stntts  Iiijaiifnj,  Comma ndhuj. 
Captain  PiiiiTs  Hohxby, 

Cuntmandhuj  litr  BrUnnnk  Mujc^iijn  S/ilp  "  Tn'hnue," 

JJarhor  of  San  Juan,  W.  7\ 


8  I,  :]. 

JIkh  Ma.tf.^tv's  SiiTi'  '*  Tuincxi;," 
(irijht  Jirnj,  Jxlaial  of  San  Juan,  Jm/nsf  ;{,  \H't\K 

Sik:   Til  rei)ly  to  your  h'tter  of  this  uiorninj;,  I  liavo  to  inform  you 
that  1  shall  (lo'myself  the  honor  of  eallin-j;  on  you  at  2  p.  m.,  in  com- 
pany with  the  captains  of  her  J'ritannic  Majesty's  ships. 
I  have  the  1u»nor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  rmPP8  IIORNIJY,  Ca})fnin. 
Captain  l*irKi;TT, 

Commandimj  Detachment  of  U.  S.  Troops,  Island  of  San  Juan. 


8/>  4. 

Her  Maji^sty's  Siirr  "Tuituxf;," 

San  Jnan  Island,  Auijud  8,  1859. 

Sir:  In  accordance  with  your  re(|uest  for  a  written  conununication,  I 
have  the  honor  to  transmit  tiie  substance  of  the  declarations  and  propo- 
sitions uiade  by  me  to  you  to-day, 

Havinj;  drawn  your  attention  to  the  extract  of  a  (Hsj)atch  from  Mr. 
Marcy,  Secretary  of  State,  to  his  excellency  Governor  Stevens,  dated 
July  14,  18r)5,  prescribin<]j  the  conduct  that  should  be  jjursued  by  the 
officers  of  the  United  States  in  respect  of  the  dis])utcd  <!^rouuds,  I  asked 
if  that  was  the  tenor  of  your  }>resent  instructions,  or  if  the  relations  of 
the  two  States  bad  been  placed  on  other  than  a  friendly  footing  by  any 
of  a  more  recent  date. 

To  this  you  replied  by  referrinjij  to  the  date  of  the  dis})atch. 

I  then  asked  you,  in  the  name  of  (»(»vernor  Dou>;las,  the  terms  on 
Avhich  yi)U  had  occupied  the  island  of  San  Juan  ;  to  which  yen  reidied 
that  you  did  so  by  order  of  the  ''  general  commanding,"  to  protect  it 
as  a  ])art  of  the  United  States  territory,  and  that  you  believed  he  acted 
under  (U-ders  from  the  government  at  Washington. 

I  then  presented  to  you  tlie  governor's  ])rotest  against  any  such 
occu])ation  or  claim.  I  represented  to  you  tliat  the  fact  of  occupying 
a  disputed  island  by  a  military  force  necessitated  a  similar  action  on 
our  ])art;  that  again  involved  the  imminent  risk  of  a  ctdlision  between 
the  forces,  there  being  a  magistrate  of  each  nation  now  acting  on  the 
island,  either  of  whom  might  call  on  those  of  their  country  for  aid. 

To  prevent  the  chance  of  such  collision,  I  suggested  that  a  joint  mili- 
tary occupation  might  take  place,  and  continue  until  replies  could  be 
received  from  our  respective  governments;  aiid,  during  such  times,  that 
the  commanding  officers  of  the  forces  should  control  and  adjudicate 
between  their  respective  countryjncn,  the  magistrates  being  withdrawn 


ISLAND   OK    SAN    JUAN. 


17 


•C'SpOIKlS 

inic'uts. 


itding. 


.  T. 


form  you 
,  ill  com- 

apfnin. 
11  J  nan. 


\,  1859. 

lieation,  I 
,11(1  prupu- 

irom  Mr. 
ns,  dated 
ed  l)y  the 
s,  I  asked 
lations  of 
ng  by  any 


terms  on 

u  re  [died 

protect  it 

d  he  acted 

any  sucli 
occupyinji; 

action  (»n 
n  l>etween 
iiig  on  the 
or  aid. 
joint  mili- 
s  could  he 

imes,  that 
adju(licato 
ivithdrawn 


oil  liotii  Nidt'>,  or  tlic  action  of  their  courts  suspended  for  the  time  heinj:-, 
their  emiiloymeiit  not  lieing  necessary  under  a  joint  military  occujta- 
tioii. 

I  snii'i^'.'sted  this  course  as  apparently  the  only  one  left  (siiort  of 
(•ntire  evu(uati(»n  hy  the  troops  under  your  command)  likely  to  produce 
the  ohject  so  much  to  he  di'sired,  viz:  the  prevention  of  a  collision 
hctwcen  the  foiei's  or  authorities  of  the  two  eountries,  lande<l  or  in  the 
harlior  of  Saii  Juan  an  event  which  must  lead  to  still  more  disastrous 
results,  hy  jteimaneutly  estranuin*^  the  friendly  relations  sultsistinsj 
lielwceii  (Jreat  Britain  and  the  United  States  of  America. 

Vou  lejdied  thiit  you  had  not  authority  to  conclude  such  terms, 
Imt  su;,'!j:ested  the  reiereiice  of  them  to  ({eueral  Harney  and  (Governor 
Mou^las,  without  interference  in  any  w;iy  with  our  liberty  of  action. 

I  pointed  out  that  my  projiositiou  was  strictly  in  accordance  with 
the  principles  laid  down  in  Mr.  !\hircy's  dispatch,  and  that  yours,  on 
the  other  hand,  oll'erecl  no  seeiirity  against  the  oceurreiue  of  some 
immediate  «vil. 

That  as  olhcers  of  the  United  States  in-overnment  had  committed  an 
act  of  a;;;j;ressiou  l>y  landing  an  armed  force  on  this  island  pending 
the  settlement  of  our  res[>ective  claims  to  its  sovereignty,  without 
warning  to  us.  and  without  giving  you  a  discretictnaiy  power  of  making 
any  necessary  arrangements,  that  the  United  States  and  its  ollicers 
alone  must  lie  I'espiuisible  for  any  consei|uences  that  might  result, 
either  immediate  or  future. 

I  agreed  to  your  recpiest  to  furnish  you  with  the  substance  of  the 
ecuiversation  in  writing,  and  concluded  l)y  informing  you  that  having 
now  made  what  seemed  t(»  me  a  most  etjuitableand  simple  ]»roposition, 
I  reserved  to  myself,  in  the  event  of  your  non-acceptance  of  it,  entire 
liberty  of  uction  either  tor  the  protection  of  !>ritish  subjei-ts  and 
pn>perty,  or  of  our  claims  to  the  sovereignty  of  the  island,  until  they 
are  settled  bv  the  Northwest  Bounihirv  Commission  now  cxistinii',  or 
liy  the  respective  governments. 

I  believe  I  have  ii(»w  given  you  the  substance  of  our  conversation, 
and  have  mily  to  add  my  regret  that  you  were  not  able  to  agree  to  a 
course  which  it  appears  to  me  would  totally  avoid  the  risk  of  a  cidlision. 

The  responsibility  of  any  such  catastrophe  does  not,  I  feel,  rest  <in 
me  or  on  her  Majesty's  reiiresentative  at  Vancouver's  Island. 

I  have  the  honctr  to  be,  sir,  vour  most  obedient.  huml)le  servant, 

(JKOFFliEY  PHIPPS  HORNnV, 

Crqifnin  and  Smior  Officer. 

Uaptain  (iKokok  1*icki:tt, 

ComiiiandliKj  IklaclniK'nt  of  IJnUcd.  States  \)th  Ileii'onent. 


]\IlLrT.\UY    I'OST, 

island  of  San  Juan,   IV.  T.,  Avijud  :},  \\  p.  m. 

Sik:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  coinmnni- 
tation  of  this  date,  in  reference  to  the  conversation  which  was  held 
to-day  between  ourselves  and  Captains  Prevost  and  Uichards.     Your 

"  Ex.  Doe.  10 2 


i 


■k 


I 


18 


ISLAND   OF   SAX    .HAS. 


rccdlloctioii  (if  Miid  convt'isiition  seems  to  lie  vcrv  aecmute.  There  i> 
one  jM»iiit,  however,  which  I  dwelt  upon  ))iutieiihirly,  and  whieli  I 
must  endeavor,  as  the  oftieer  represent  in;;-  my  «;oveninient,  to  impress 
upon  you,  vi/, :  That,  as  a  matter  ot'eourse,  1,  bein;:;  here  under  (trder> 
fV(»m  my  <;(tvernmeiit,  eannot  aUow  any  joint  oe(n|)ation  until  soorderetl 
by  my  commatnlin;^  ^a'ueral,  and  that  any  attempt  to  make  such  oecu- 
pation  as  you  have  ]»roposed.  hetbre  I  can  eommiuiieate  with  (ieneral 
Harney,  will  be  ])rin<;in<;  on  a  collision  which  t<iii  be  avoided  by 
HAvaitin^j:  this  issue.  1  do  not  tor  one  moment  ima;:;ine  that  there  will 
any  difliculty  oirur  on  this  island  which  will  render  a  military  intor- 
ferenee  necessary  ;  and  1  theret'ore  deem  it  proper  to  state  that  I  think 
no  discredit  can  retlect  upon  us,  or  our  respective  thi^s,  by  remainin-.^ 
in  our  jtresent  |iositions  until  we  have  an  opportunity  of  hearinu'  from 
those  hi«>her  in  authctrity. 

I  hoi>e,  most  sincerely,  sir,  you  will  retlect  on  this,  and  iioite  you 
may  coincide  witli  me  in  my  c(Uiclusioii.  Should  you  see  tit  to  act 
otherwise,  you  will  then  be  the  person  who  will  hiin^'  on  a  most  disas- 
trous ditHculty,  and  not  the  United  States  olHcials. 

I  liave  thus  hurriedly  answered  your  comnmnication  in  order  to 
avoid  any  delay  and  its  consetniences. 

I  remain,  with  much  resj)ect,  vour  obedient  servant. 

(;'1':()1I(JK  K.  PICKETT. 
('<ipl(i'n;  Uf/i  liifuninj,  ('oiidiioikHuij  I'asi 

('a))t.   (t.   J'lill'I'S    lloltNHV. 

('(tiiniidiii/iiK/  lii'i'  lirifdjtiiic  J/f(/V.s7//  .v  f<liiji  "  TrUniiic." 

Ho r ho r  of  Son  'lnou.   Wnslu'iifffon  Terrifof)/ 


By  Ja.mi:s  l)oi(ii..\<.  (".  !>.,  o-overnoi'  and  coiumander-in-chiet  in  am! 
over  the  colony  of  \'anc(»uver's  Island  and  its  dependencies.  \ic(- 
admiral  of  the  same.  iV'c. 

The  sovereip;nty  of  the  island  of  San  .luaii.  and  of  the  whole  of  the 
ITaro  archipela|jjo,  has  always  lieen  uinleviatinjily  claimed  to  be  iu  the 
crown  of  (rreat  IJritain.  Therefore.  I,  dames  Douglas,  do  hereby,  for- 
mally and  solemnly,  protest  against  the  occupation  of  the  said  island, 
or  any  pait  of  the  said  archipela^io,  by  any  person  whatsoever,  tor  oi 
on  behalt'ofany  other  ]M)wei\  berel)y  protesting;'  aixl  deelarin;;  that  the 
sovereignty  thereof  by  riji'ht  now  is.  and  always  hath  l)een,  in  her 
Majesty  <^)ueen  \'ictoria  and  her  |ii'edeeessors.  Kin;;s  ot  (lieat  liritaiii. 

(Jiven  umler  my  hand  ai\d  seal,  at  \'icfoiia,  VancouM  I's  Island,  on 
r  ^  I  this  second  day  of  Au*;ust.  one  tlnnisand  eii;lit  hundred  and 
''■'''   fiftv-nine,  and  in  the  twentv-third  \cii-  of  her  .Majestv's  rei'ni 

dAMF.S  l)or"(iLAS. 


i 


s  f/. 

IIkadui  \i;Ti;i;s  Dki'aut.mknt  (»i'  OiiWioN, 

For/  i'a,;>n,nrr,  1}'.  T..  AiojHsi  0,  1850. 

8iu:    1  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  of  the  receijttof  an  olHcial  copy 
of  a  protest   made  by  yon  ti>  the  occupation  of  San  fTuan  island,  iti 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    .11  AN. 


ID 


will 


JMij^ct's  Sniiinl.  l»y   ii  C'oinpiiny  (»t'  rnitcfl  States  trmnis  iiMdcr  my  vn\i  - 
iiiiiiid. 

Tliis  ulHi'ial  copy  was  tiiniislnMl  l»y  Ciijitaiii  lluinliy.  ut  licr  MaJcNtv  > 
sliip  "  TrilMiiic,"  to  the  llniti'd  States  nfHccr  in  (•<»nniiainl  at  San  .Iiiaii 
island.  Captain  (ii'or«;c'  Pickett,  of  the  ".>tli  infantry  uf  the  American 
army,  tn^cther  with  a  t-ommnnication  threateninj;  a  .joint  (»ccnpatitin 
uf  San  .Inaii  ishuMlby  the  forces  of  her  Majesty's  ships  "Trilmin'." 
'*  I'lnmper."  and  ''Satellite."  now  in  the  harhoi-  of  that  ishmd  hy 
yonr  orders. 

As  the  military  comnnuider  of  the  departnnMit  of  Orej^on.  assiniM-d 
to  that  connnand  hy  the  ortlers  of  the  President  of  the  I'nitetl  States.  I 
have  the  honor  to  state,  for  vonr  infernnition,  that  hv  snch  anthorit\ 
itivesteil  in  me  I  placed  a  military  command  npon  the  island  of  San 
dnan  to  protect  the  American  citizens  residin;^  on  that  island  from  the 
insnlts  and  indi<::nities  which  the  Hiitish  authorities  of  Vanconver's 
i«land  and  the  I'stahlishinent  of  the  Hudson's  15av  Comitanv  recenth 
olfered  them  hy  sendin«ij  a  British  ship-of-war  from  Vanconver's  Island 
toconvey  the  chief  factor  of  the  Hudson's  IJay  Compatiy  to  San  .luan  for 
the  j)urpose  vi'  sei/in<i  an  American  citizen  and  forcihly  transportiui; 
him  tt»  VaiU'onver's  Island  to  he  tried  hy  British  laws. 

1  liave  re[torte(l  this  attem])ted  outrage  to  my  j^ctvernment.  and  they 
will  douhtless  seek  the  jn'opcr  redress  from  the  British  j^overnment. 
In  Ihe  meantime,  I  have  the  honor  to  infoini  your  excellency  I  shall 
not  pi'rmit  a  repetition  of  that  insult,  and  shall  retain  a  comnnind  on 
San  .Iium  island  to  piotect  its  citizens,  in  the  uanu'  of  the  I'liitcd 
States,  until  I  receive  further  orders  from  my  jrovernmeiit. 

1  have  tiie  honor  to  he.  \-crv  resjK'ctfullv.  V(»ur  ohedient  servant. 

'^V.  S.  HAHNKV. 

/trii/(i</iir  (Iriici'dl  l'iiif('<f  Sfdtrfi  Ariiiji.  ('ntniuniidin'j. 
Hi>i  e.\celleiiey  d a.mhs  Doici.as,  ('.  B., 

]"iir-Aihiiii'>il  I  if  t/ii'  yiniK  . 


S   f. 

llHADurAKTKUS  DkI'AUT.MMXT  OF  Oiu;<io\. 
Fori  l'(im»iari\  //'.  T.,  Amjmf  W,  18;V,K 

Captain  :  The  oeneral  commamliiijL^  instructs  me  to  inform  you  of  the 
iecei)>t  of  drovernor  Dou,s;his'  pi-otest  to  the  oceupatioji  of  San  .Juan 
island,  and  directs  me  to  inclose  a  conuiiunication,  whicli  you  will 
request  Ca|»tain  Hornhy,  of  her  Majesty's  ship  "Trihnne,"  to  transmit 
to  (irovernor  l)ouj:,las  with  all  convenient  dispatch. 

The  p,eneral  a])proves  the  coui'se  you  havi'  pursued,  and  fnrthii 
directs  that  no  joint  oci'Ui)ation  or  any  civil  jurisdiction  will  lie  jie!  - 
mitted  on  San  duau  island  hy  the  J]ritish  authorities  under  any  ci: - 
;umstauces. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Casey  is  oi'dered  to  reinforce  yon  with  hi-'  totu- 
mand  as  soon  as  possihle. 


'I' 

i' 


IM 


20 


ISI.ANI)    OF    SAN    .H'AN, 


Si-nd  Ijieulcniiiit  llnwjud  tn  l^'urt  St»  iliicndin  in  inic^t 
I  mil,  Ciiptaiii.  vcrv  rcsjicctrnllv  .  \<<\w  nlifilicnt  Mivaiit 


Ciinf.  'Ii/  h 


llK/niiilS. 


\.  i'li:as()NT(>n. 

.Irfiinf  .  Iss/ .   Ailjl .  (i\  ih  rnf 


('Slptilill  (Ji:ol{«iK  riCKK'lT. 


\)(h  htfiintni,  (.'nm'ij  a/i  Smi  •Ihkk   l^hiinl.  /'"'/'f  ■-'  SmiiK 


/,(/■.  r 


HRAiKHAinKus  |)i;i'.\iiTMi;.\T  <ii  ()iii:(i(iN. 

/•'o//  rdiiconrrr,   //'.  7'..  .I>"j"sf1.  ISiV.). 

Sii;:  I  lijivc  tlic  liiiinii-  to  iiiclosi'  tor  vinir  iiifMiiiiiitidii  a  <.'<»py  ot 
a  |»roclainatiitn  ut'  ( Jovi-iiini-  hoii^'.as.  tlic  cxfiiitivc  oiHcci'  nf'  her 
Britaiinit;  Majesty's  islaiul  (if  \'aiu'nMV(  r.  in  rii};c'ts  Soiiinl:  also  my 
reply  to  this  prtK'hiniatioii,  as  far  as  it  allnts  the  ri;;lits  of  Amcricaii 
citizens  whose  interests  liave  heeii  conlidctl  to  the  protcetioii  of  my 
command  ;  and  I  (U-sire  further  to  iiiforni  you  tliat  at  this  time  I 
hav(!  a  eouiiiany  vi'  I'nited  States  tido|)s  in  [lossession  of  San  duau 
ishmd,  to  jncvi'iit  any  repetition  of  tlie  insults  that  have  heeii  offered 
to  our  citizens  hy  the  IJritish  authorities  of  \'aiu'ouver  s  Island.  This 
company  1  have  ordered  to  he  strongly  I'einforectl,  which  the  I'ritish 
authorities  have  threatened  not  tt»  permit.  Itut  also  to  ii-move  the  pre- 
sent force  from  the  island.  This  I  >/(>  not  helicvi-  they  will  attempt, 
hut  1  shall  make  every  effort  to  meet  and  fiiistrate  any  desij;ns  to 
place  such  an  indisjjnity  upon  our  tla^,- ;  and  as  we  Iiavc  no  national 
vessel  helon;j;inji;  to  our  navy  in  the  waters  ot  ruiicts  Sound  to  oljscrve 
the  three  liritish  vessels  of  war  that  liavc  liecn  placed  in  a  tlncateninj; 
attitude  over  the  harlxtr  of  San  duaii  island.  I  have  the  honor  to  re- 
quest yoti,  as  the  commander  of  tlie  liiited  States  naval  foM  -s  on  the 
Pacific,  to  order  to  i*ui:;et's  Sound  such  I'orce  as  you  can  render  avail 
ahle  ti>  assist  in  the  protection  (d'  American  interests  in  that  (piarter, 
and  to  enahle  us  to  meet  successfully  any  issue  that  may  lie  atti'uipted 
to  lie  uiade  out  of  the  present  im[)endinu  diflieiilties. 

This  communication  is  transmitted  tliioui;h  Ihij^adiertieneral  ( 'larke, 
ccuiimandine;  department  of  ("alit'ornia.  not  havint;'  the  honor  of  your 
acijuaintanci'  or  a  knowled*j:;e  of  y<i!ir  station. 

I  shall  forward  immediately  a  copy  of  this  letter  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  for  the  information  of  the  President. 

I  a])i,  sir,  with  hi;j^h  regard,  vour  ohedient  servant. 

W.  S.   HAllNKV. 
Jh'iffddicr  (ivncvnl  If.  S.  ./.,  (.'oiiiiiKindvKj. 

The  Senior  Officer  of  the  UhiUtJ  Shifr.s  Navi/ 

L'omutnnding  S(/!(a(/roji  on  t/ic  Pavljii-  Coasl. 

8  <,. 

HKAUQU.\RTt:iis  Dei'artmext  of  ()ui;(;on. 

Fort  FancoHvcf,  W.  T.,  Amjust  7,  1859. 
General:  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  a  communication  for  the  senior 
oflScer  of  the  navy  commanding  on  the  Pacific  coast,  in  which  I  have 


IS|,AN|)    OF    SA.V    .IIAV. 


21 


rt'<|iu'stci|  !i  tnicf  titun  his  (•(»iimiiiiii|,  to  In-  >tati<.iHMl  mi  I'li^ct's  S.iiiinl, 


to  nhscivc   the   I'ritisli   incii-ot-wiir  tliiit  jir 


«'  a>^iiiiiiny:  !i   tlirciitcniiiy; 


jittitiidc  towjinls  ii   i'onii>!iny  of  iiifantrv  I    Iuinc  |>la(f(l   mi  San  .liiaii 
island. 

I  will  tliaiik  yoii.  urncnil,  to  cause  this  toniiiiiinii-ation  to  he  tniiis- 
niittctl  to  the  proju'i-  olHcur  of  the  navy  nt  your  ciirlicst  o|t|)ortuiiitv, 
as  spccily  action  on  his  part  will  «lo  niiicli  to  allay  the  excitement  which 
is  fast  spreading;  anion*;;  our  peo)»le  at  the  overhearing  conduct  of  the 
Uritish  authorities. 

I  inclose  for  your  inl'orniation  copies  ot'  (Jovernor  Douglas'  procla- 
mation, and  my  reply  to  the  same. 

I  inclose,  also,  an  important  communication  tor  the  Atljutant  General, 
which  should  reach  him  as  early  as  possihle;  perhajis  an  express  line 
.vould  he  UKtre  ccM'tain  and  speedy  than  the  mail. 

I  am.  ucin'riil.  with  \\\ix\\  respect,  voiii-  ohedieiit  servant, 

W.  S.  IIAUNKY, 
liriifiitiii  r  (tfxrral.  ('ntiunandinij. 
liriuiidier  (JeiK'ial  N.  S.  ('i,\I!m;, 

('iii>nii*ni'(in<f  Dc/xi  tiiinn/  of  ( 'ii/i/'itntid, 

S<Ui   /''itntri-'^<o,  ('tili/'iriiitt. 


I 


It.    (icucni/  //iiriici/  fo  tlh   Adjnhuit  (un»rol. 

IIi'Ahia  Ar.Ti;i!>  I>i;i'AHTMi:.\T  uv  ()i{i;«ioN. 

t'iirl  Vtna'om-rr.  W.  '/'. ,  Aioji'sf  H,  IH.VJ. 

( '(11.0x1:1,:  III  connection  with  my  report  of  yesterday's  date,  1  desire 
to  state  that  the  island  of  San  diian  has  for  months  |iast  heeu  unih'r 
the  civil  jurisdiction  of  Whatcom  county.  \Vashin;.^ton  Territory — a 
Justice  of  the  peace  had  heeii  estalilished  on  the  inland  the  people  had 
heen  taxed  liy  tin'  county,  and  the  taxes  \vei<-  paid  hy  the  forei;j;ners 
as  well  as  Americans.  An  ins|ieetor  of  (iistiini^ .  a  I  iiitcd  States  ojHcer 
of  the  Tri-asiny  Department,  had  heen  placed  upon  the  islaml  in  the 
disi'har<;'e  of  his  proper  duties.  The  liritish  authorities  at  \'ancouver"s 
Island  were  aware  of  all  ot' these  facts,  and  nevei'  attempted  ti»  exercise 
any  authority  ou  the  island,  excrpt  clandestinely,  as  reported  yesterday 
in  the  case  of' the  pii;-  which  was  killed. 

When  (Jovernor  Douglas  jicaid  o|'  the  arrival  ot  Captain  l*i(;kett's 
command  at  Sail  duaii.  he  appoiiilctl  a  justice  ot"  the  jicace  and  other 
civil  aiitiiorities  at  N'ictoria.  and  sent  them  over  in  the  Uritish  ship-of- 
war  "  riiimper  "  to  execute  I'ritish  laws  in  the  islaml.  Captain  I'ickett 
refused  to  permit  them  to  act  as  such,  and  1  ha\<'  sustained  him  fn  his 
position.  I  helieve  I  have  now  fully  and  tiiirly  explained  all  the  facits 
which  have  any  heariniL;'  U]ion  the  occU|tati(Ui  of  San  duan  island, 
whit-h  was  made  an  imperious  necessity  hy  the  wanton  and  insulting 
conduct  ol'  the  liiitish  authorities  of  \'ancouvei"s  Islaml  towards  our 
citi/ens. 

I  am.  colonel,  verv  respei'tfullv.  \our  ohedieiit  .servant. 

W.  S.  HAli'NKY, 
/{'iffoffid-  (r'r)t('i't(l,  C(»nmanilin(j. 

Colonel  S.  Cooi'Kn, 

Adjutant  (icnend  Unitt'd  St((ti-s  Arnti/.  Wtish'uiijtonCity,  D.  C 


ijil' 
,  i' 


9«) 


«I<ANI»    OK    SAN    JIAN. 


10.     .1/V.    Diinkiiiif  fii  (n  HI  III/  Scilf . 


ft  mill  /■   1  •'>.    1 


\V\lt    DkI'AIMMKM.  Si  i>h  mill  , 

\W  all 


.s.,:i. 


.SiK  :  Tlic  I'li'sidfiit  liiis  hccii  iiiiicli  <i!atilic.l  at  tlii' alacrity  with 
•.vhicli  yuu  liavc  rcsixdidcd  tn  liis  wisli  tliat  \"ii  wmilil  inocccd  to 
Wasliinf^toii  Trniti»ry  to  assiiinc  tlic  iniini'diutc inimiiaiid.  if  necessary, 
of  tilt'  United  States  liirccs  oti  tlic  I'acitic  toasi. 

He  lias  directed  ine  tn  call  ymir  s|ic(ial  attinii'Hi  t"  tin-  |»resent  tlircai- 
eninji  attitndc  ol'tlie  Uritisli  and  Anicriiaii  aiitlmrities  at  and  near  tlie 
islatid  (if  San  .Inan.  The  t\vi»  j;<i\erniiient>  liavc  dill'crcd  on  tlie  (|iies- 
tion  ut"  title  to  this  island  under  the  treaty  cuncluded  hetweeii  them  at 
Washington  on  the  loth  .luiie.  l.S4r(.  The  decision  til  tliis^(|nestion 
depends  on  whether  the  ticaty  line,  in  passing-  "  tVoiii  the  middle  of 
the  cliannel,  on  the  4'.Hli  parallel  of  latitude,  which  Mparates  the  ci>n- 
tinent  from  Vancouver's  Island  to  l''uca  stiaits.  '  nii;,dit  to  lie  run 
tliron<;h  the  ("anal  de  llaro  or  the  linsario  strait.  If  thiouuli  the 
Canal  de  llaro.  the  island  l»eloiij;s  to  the  I'nitcd  States  :  lait  if  thiMUifh 
the  Hosario  strait,  to  (Jreat  Britain. 

This  is  not  the  proper  occasion  to  distiiss  the  <|iiestion  nf  title.  It' it 
were,  it  mijfht  he  shown  that  all  the  territory  which  the  American 
•government  consented  to  yield,  south  of"  the  I'.lth  paiallel  of  latitude, 
was  theCa]»e  of  Vancoiiver's  Island.  The  idea  that  the  treaty  iiitcnde<l 
to  j^ive  Great  I'ritain  n(»t  only  the  whole  of  that  lai<;e  and  important 
island,  hut  all  the  islands  siaith  of  4'.»°  in  the  archipehmo  hctwtni  the 
island  and  the  I'ontinent,  was  not.  at  the  lime.  I'litertaiiied  cither  hy 
tlio  President  oi'  Senate  of  the  Tnited  State's. 

In  order  to  jtrevent  unfiirtunate  c(dlisions  on  that  ninote  Irontier, 
pendinj;  the  dispute,  Mr.  Marcy,  the  late  St-cictary  of  State,  on  the 
14th  of  July,  IS.')'),  addressed  a  letter  tntlie  liounrahle  Isaac  I.  Stevens, 
tlieji  »jjovern(»r  of  Washiu,i;ton  Territciy.  liaviiiu,  a  sjiecial  rcli-rence  to 
an  •' apitrehended  conflict  hetweeu  our  i-iti/.ens  and  the  I'ritish  suh- 
ieets  on  the  island  of  San  Juan."  In  this  letter  (iovenior  Stevens  is 
instructed  "  that  the  officers  of  the  Tcriitoiy  should  ahstain  from  all 
acts  on  the  disputed  j.;rouiids,  which  are  caliulated  to  ]»r(»V(d\e  any  con- 
fliet,  so  far  as  it  can  he  done  witli(»ut  iiiiplyinj;"  the  concessinu  to  the 
authorities  of  ( Jreat  Hritaiu  of  an  exclusive  liulit  over  the  premises. 
Tlie  title  ou<;ht  to  he  scttletl  hd'ore  either  party  sieiuld  attcmjit  to  ex- 
clude the  other  hy  forc(\  or  exercist'  complete  and  e.\elusive  soverei;i;n 
rights  within  the  tiilrly  disputed  limits.'  Three  days  thereafter,  (ui 
the  17th  July.  IS")."),  Seiretary  Marey  addressed  a  imte  to  .Mi-,  ("ramj)- 
ton,  rlien  the  British  minister  at  WasliiiiL;toii.  eoiumniiieariiin-  to  him 
the  material  poi'tion  of  his  letter  to  (Jovernnr  Stevens.  ('(i|»ie<  nt'lioth 
these  letters  are  herewith  inclosed. 

Thus  matters  stooil  until  (J(Mieral  llaruey  deemed  it  |ir(ipei-.  I'm-  the 
puijiose  of  affording  iirotectioii  to  American  litizens  on  tlie  islaiiil  and 
the  neighltoring  terrif(tries  ot'  tlie  I'liited  States,  to  direct  < 'a|itain 
(ireorge  10.  IMckett,  ninth  infantry,  '"to  cstahlish  his  t'iim|iaiiy  on  Bclle- 
vue,  »u-  San  Juan  island,  in  some  suitahle  jtosition  near  tin-  harhor 
at  the  southeastern  extremity.''  At  the  same  time  thesteamei-  ••  Mas- 
fc:achusetts"   was  placed   under  the  orders  of  Lieutenant  ('(liunel  Silas 


ISI.AM)   OF   SAN    .H'AN. 


'i:\ 


v.'asi'y,  '.Mil  iiilaiitrv,  •  tur  the  better  |trntec'ti(Ui  iiikI  siiiiorvisioii  iA'  the 
Aiiters  (•!' l*ii;,'et  s  Sniind,  "  with  iiistni(tii»iis  tuco('i|ierate  with  ('iiptain 
I'iikett.  These  iiistiiietiniis  were  |»rt>iii|ttly  exeetiteil.  Captain  Pickett 
itiiinediately  prueetMled  to  the  iNhiml  with  his  etdiipany  and  estahlislu-d 
I  military  jjMst  at  its  soiitheasterti  i-xtreiiiity. 

It  is  iiiiiieeessary  lur  iiie  t«»  eiiiii|iile  liir  y(»u,  tVnin  the  papers  in  the 
departiiii'iit,  a  statetiieiit  ut"  the  eonditiun  v\'  alVairs  in  ami  near 
the  island  ul'  San  .hum,  luranse  you  will  l»e  furnished  with  (ci|iies 
'•fall  tlu'se  papers.  I  woidd  refer  you  i-specially  to  the  two  dis|tatehe.s 
of  (ieiM'ral  llarney,  dated  July  I'J  antl  Au«;ust  7;  and  to  my  (li>pateh 
fo  hini  of  the  !)d  instant,  in  reply  to  his  of  the  lUth  duly.  Siilhej'  it 
lo  say  that  they  present  a  eondition  of  atfairs  demanding-  the  serious 
attention  of  this  j.;'ovcrnment. 

It  is  imposs'Ule,  at  this  distance  from  the  seene,  and  in  ij^noranre  of 
what  may  have  already  transpirt-d  on  the  spot,  t(»  ;^ive  you  positive 
instrui'tions  as  to  your  course  of  action.  Much,  very  much,  must  he 
left  to  your  own  discretion,  and  the  President  is  hap|»y  to  helieve  that 
discretion  could  not  he  intrusted  to  more  com]»etent  hands.  His  nuiiii 
•hject  is  t(»  preserve  the  peaci'  and  prevent  c(dlision  hetween  the  Hritish 
and  American  authorities  on  the  islami  until  the  ((uestion  of  title  can 
he  adjusted  hy  the  two  i^overnments.  Kollowinj;  out  the  s])irit  of  Mr. 
.Marc»"s  instructions  to  (ioveiiior  Stevens,  it  would  he  di'sirahle  to 
provide,  durinj;"  the  interveninj::  pt-iiod,  for  a  joint  occn]iation  of  the 
island,  under  such  ^uanls  as  will  secure  its  tran(|uillity  without  inter- 
t'eriny;  with  our  ri<i^hts.  The  President  jierceives  no  objection  to  the 
plan  judposed  by  ('a|>tain  Hornby,  of  her  Majesty's  ship  '•Tribune," 
to  Captain  Pickett;  it  beinii'  undi'rstood  that  ('aptain  IMckett's  com- 
pany shall  renniin  on  the  island  to  resist,  it'  need  be.  the  incursions  of 
lutrthern  Indians  on  our  trontier  settlements,  and  to  attoid  protec- 
tion t(»  American  citizens  resident  thereon.  Jn  any  arran^^ement  which 
may  be  made  for  j<»int  occupation.  Atnerican  citi/eiis  must  be  placed 
"11  a  footin;.;'  e(|ually  favorabU-  with  that  of  IJritisli  subjects. 

But  what  shall  be  your  course  should  the  forces  of  the  two  ^ovei'ii- 
ments  have  c<ime  into  collision  befoi-e  ytiur  arrival  V  This  would  vastly 
complicate  the  ia.se.  esjtecially  if  blood  shall  have  briii  shed.  In  that 
"vent.  it  Would  still  be  your  duty,  if  this  can,  in  your  opiuiim,  be 
iionoralily  done,  under  I  he  sunoundiu};"  circumstances,  to  establish  a 
temporarv  joint  occupation  of  the  island,  j^ivini;'  to  neither  party  any 
•dvantaLic  nvei-  the  other.  It  would  be  a  shockinu;  event  if  the  two 
nations  should  be  ju'ecipitated  into  a  war  ri'spei-tin;^'  the  possession  of 
a  small  island,  antl  that  only  for  the  brief  pc-riod  during'  wliicli  the 
two  ;:,(ivernnients  may  be  [(eacefully  employeil  in  sett  lint;'  the  questiim 
to  which  ot'them  the  islami  belon,i;s. 

It  is  a  possible,  but  not  a  probable,  case  that  the  Piitish  ant liorities, 
having'  a  <;reatly  superior  foice  at  their  immetliate  command,  may  have 
attempted  to  sei/e  the  island  and  to  exercise  exclusive  juri.sdiition  over 
it,  and  that  our  countrymen  in  those  rej^'ions  nniy  have  taken  up  arms 
to  assert  and  maintain  their  rights.  In  that  event  thi,-  I'resident  fi'els 
a  just  conlidence,  I'rom  the  whole  tenor  of  your  past  life,  that  you  will 
not  sutler  the  mitional  honor  to  be  tarnished.  If  we  nuist  be  ibrced 
into  a  war  bv  the  violence  of  the  British  authorities,  which  is  not 


i 


24 


IvSLANl)    OF   SAN    JUAN. 


anticipated,  we  .sluill  abide  tlie  issue  as  best   \vi'  may  witboiit  appre- 
hennion  as  to  tiie  result. 

I  am,  sir.  wrv  resixrtfuUv,  vour  obediiMit  servant. 

'    ■      W.  K.  DRINKAni). 

Actiixj  Secirlnry  of  War. 
Lieutenant  General  \Vlm"1i;i,i»  Siott, 

(Ammaiukr-hi-Chiif  <>/'  flic  United  Stairs  Aruuj..  Wn.^hhujtim. 


1 1.   (r(')ii.-riil  Jlann'i/  to  (rciicrnl  Scoff. 


Uhadquartkhs  Dei'A!itmi:nt  <)\-  l)ui:<io.\, 

Fort  Vanvouvcr.  JV.  T..  Jiujiisf  18,  18.^9. 

Sir:  Since  my  report  ul'  tlie  8tl)  instanv  lo  the  Adjutant  Cileneral,  a 
copy  of  which  was  sent  to  your  otHee,  with  aceompanyini'-  ]nipers,  1 
have  received  tlie  inclosed  eoriespondenee  iVoni  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Casey,  comniandinjjj  on  San  Juan  island,  as  a  reeord  of  the  events 
which  have  occurred  at  that  place;  in  addition  to  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  re])ort,  for  the  information  of  the  ,i;eneral-in-ciiief,  my  own 
action,  based  on  the  above  (;orres|)on(lence.  as  shown  ])y  the  inclosed 
copies  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Casey  and  Commissioner  Cani|)bell,  and 
also  a  copy  of  a  coni]nP';i''ation  from  bis  execdh-ney  <  Governor  (JholsoTi, 
of  Washin>2;tou  Territory,  eontaiivii^'  an  assurance  of  a  cordial  re- 
t^ponse  by  the  peojde  of  this  Territory  wlieneviT  it  nuiy  be  necessary 
to  a])ply  for  theii'  assistance. 

I  inclose  a  list  of  the  fleet  and  forces  ot"  her  Urirannie  Majesty  on 
service  in  Pu<;'et's  Sound,  which  hiu'e  been  made  use  of  To  threaten 
my  command  occupying'  San  duan  isbind.  This  armament,  it  will  be 
seen,  contains  five  vessels  of  war.  on(>  hundred  and  sixty-seven  ,i;uns, 
two  tliousand  out'  hundred  and  foity  men.  some  six  hundred  of  which 
are  marines  and  enu'ineer  ti'oops;  and  when  it  is  kuowu  that  this  force 
has  bei.n  emjdoyed  from  the  27th  da.  of  duly  until  the  KMli  (biy  ot 
Aut>;ust,the  day  on  which  (,'olonel  Case_\ ,  with  I'einforeements,  reached 
the  island,  in  usin^  vwry  nu'ans  in  its  powei'.  except  openinji'  a  fire, 
to  intinudate  oni'  company  of  infantry  but  sixty  stronii;,  liie  conviction 
will  be  tniiversal  that  the  cause  wliicli  this  laruc  armament  had  been 
called  U])on  to  maintain  must  be  lulaily  <lcticicMt  of  i'i<j,ht.  justice,  and 
inte<;rity. 

The  senior  otlicci' ot'  three  lir  I'sh  ships-of-wai  threatened  to  land 
an  over))owcrin<;'  force  up.on  Captain  l'icK:ett,  who  nobly  lejdied  that 
Vtdiether  they  landed  Hfty  or  live  thousand  men.  his  conduct  would  not 
he  affected  ]>y  it:  that  he  would  o|)en  his  lire.  and.  if  compelled,  tak(! 
to  the  woods  lii;-iit  iuji;":  and  so  .satisfied  avim'c  the  l)ritish  oiKcers  that 
su'h  would  be  Ins  course,  they  hesitated  in  puttin,u'  their  threat  into 
execution.  For  the  cool  judiLiTuent,  ability,  and  ,i;allanlry  which  dis- 
tinunished  Cajttain  Pickett  in  his  command  on  San  dmin  island,  I 
most  resj)ectlully  offer  his  mime  to  the  President  of  the  United  Stiit<;.s 
for  his  notice,  l)y  the  prefei'n.!ent  of  a  brevet,  to  date  from  the  com- 
mencement of  his  servi(;e  on  San  duan  island. 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    Jl'AN. 


25 


On  the-  14tl>  n\'  Auniist  Cnluiiol  Cascv  liad  rive  cKinpanios  with  him 
on  the  islautl,  and  was  busy  itlacinjx  in  position  cii^ht  thirty-two 
]>()un(h.'rs,  taken  iVoni  the  steanu-r  '•  ^rassachnsetts"  hy  my  onh'r.s. 
I3y  this  time  four  comiianies  more  have  jniiuMl  him.  makiuLj  in  all  nine 
eom]ianies — say  rive  hundred  men.  These,  with  tlie  eitizens  on  the 
ishind,  ean  now  defend  it  until  a  diversion  euuhl  he  nnide  in  their 
favor.  From  tlie  hi<;ht  of  the  ishind  a])ove  the  water  it  presents  many 
advanta<;"CH  for  shelter  from  the  rire  of  a  tleet,  an<l  no  furee  could  he 
jatided  to  dishxlge  (volouel  (Aisey  ai"ter  his  i;uns  are  in  ])ositii>n  and  his 
ontrenehnu'nts  are  eom])letod.  A  detaehmeut  of  engineer  troojts  will 
})roceed  hy  tlie  mail  steamer  in  a  day  or  two  for  serviee  with  Colonel 
Casey's  command. 

The  visit  of  (Jolonel  Casey  to  ]-'snuimault  haihor  to  se:.'  the  British 
admiral  was  not  antici[>ated  hy  me,  and  was  a  generous  act  of  zeal  on 
the  ]>art  of  the  colonel,  tendin^^  however,  to  ]»ro(luif  contusion  in  the 
minds  of  the  British  authorities.  I  have  directed  that  in  future  all 
oiiicial  communications  he  referi'cd  diicct  to  heathjuarters. 

Some  Indian  disturhances  occuned  at  Whatcom,  nn  the  Sound, 
al)out  the  7th  instant,  in  which  one  man  was  killed.  The  steamer 
Massachusetts  proceeded  inuiu'diately  to  the  sjiot  and  arrested  the  rini; 
leaders,  Four  Indians  were  killed  in  the  meh^e  at  AVhatcom,  and  the 
r'"nainin<;'  olfenders  hav(>  heen  turned  over  to  the  civil  authority. 

'I'his  prompt  action  has  restored  (|uiet  to  the  cnuiitry  around  What- 
com. 

l  am.  sir.  ver\'  I'cspcctrullv.  vnur  nliedient  servant. 

W.  S.   HAllNEV. 
Jtri((>ii/irr  (!(}!>  I'll]  f't)iii)ttini'/l)i'f. 

.\S,S|ST.\NT    An.irT.WT    (iMNMUAI,. 

IfciidqiKirfcrs  nf  the  .inm/.  Xof   Ynrlc  rltii. 


\ 


1  I     o. 

lli'..\iK>iAirri:i!s  r>i:i'.\irrAn;N'i'  "M-  ()ki:<;on, 

Foii  I'tiiiroiirrr.   ir.  7'..  .I'/f/z/v/ S,  iS.")'.*. 

Coi,oNi;i,:  I'll*'  ;j,<Mi(",il  couunandinji'  instructs  vnu  to  take  such  su|i- 
plies  from  l)eliin,u,!iam  and  Townseud.  for  your  ct>nnnand  on  San  .Tnan, 
HM  it  may  ri'(|uire.  and  any  dericiencies  make  up  from  Steilacoom. 

You  are  authorized  to  stiTMiutlicn  your  ]i.Kitiiin  on  San  dnan  hy  the 
foUi  comjwuiies  of  the  lid  artillery  now  en  route  to  Steilacoom.  shou!:! 
von  conc(!ive  the  iiect'ssity  demands  it. 

It  is  not  the  ucnei'ars  inteutioo  to  icnecupy  either  rudlin^'liam  or 
l\iwnsend  :  conseipu'Utly,  as  soon  as  you  can  conveniently  do  so,  have 
all  the  )iu])lic  property  from  those  posts  transt'eired  to  San  dnau  and 
Steilacoom,  according  to  the  wants  of  the  service. 

The  ap])licatiou  for  ^Ir.  (odtlsliorouiLih's  services  as  clerk  on  the 
Hteamer  Alassacliusetts  to  the  olHcer  in  char-^e  of  the  pnhlii'  property, 
has  heen  favorably  emhu'sed  and  transmitted  to  the  Adjutant  (Jenenil 
for  the  ap])roval  of  thoSeen^tary  of  War.  under  (icneral  Orders  N^'.  K), 
from  the  War  l)e])artment.  of  this  year. 


I 


26 


ISLAND   OF   SAN    JUAN. 


Mr.  (joUlsltoiougli  can  be  ivtaiiu'd  in  tlit'  servicr  until  the  iqtiiliea- 
tion  is  ackin)\vK'd<;e(l. 

I  ail),  ctilonel,  vcrv  lespeettnllv.  vour  obedient  servant, 

A.  l'r,EASOx\TOX. 

(\tjit(tiii  "1(1  Dniifxnis.  Arlinij  .ls,sl.sf(iiif  x\(ljutout  (Ivncrol. 
Lii'Utenant  Ctdunel  S.  Casky, 

'.>///  Iitf'dKfii/.  <iii„iii<ritdin<i  Utiifaf  Stales  lr<i<ij)s, 

/Son  JiKdi  I.s/(im/^   ir.  T. 


n  f>. 

Camp  ]'i(Ki;tt, 
Hiin  -Iviin  island,   W.  '/'..  Aiujmf  VI.  l.s:)'J. 

I'vi'TAiN:  1  ]ia\e  the  honor  to  rej)ort  that,  in  obedience  to  orders 
received  from  department  hea(h|narters,  I  lei't  l*'ort  Steihicixnn  on  the 
<teanier  dnlia  on  tiie  Dtli  instant,  (the  niurnin<;-  alter  the  receipt  <»t'  the 
order,)  with  my  comnumd.  In  a  short  time  after  leavinj^'  we  were 
met  by  the  steamer  ''Active,"  on  her  way  to  Fort  Steihicoom,  lor  tlio 
purjiosc  of  commnnicatinjj,"  to  jne  the  state  of  affairs  (»n  the  ishmd.  J 
was  strongly  and  sidemnly  advised  by  Ca[>tain  Aldcn.  in  view  of  the 
momentons  consequences  that  might  arise,  not  to  land  any  troops  on 
the  island,  as  this  would  be  ])revented  l)y  the  Jiritish  steamshi])-of-war 
"TriV>nne,"  who,  with  her  tires  constantly  kept  uj),  was  lying  witli 
her  broadside  on  the  landing. 

Although  fully  a])preciating  the  terrible  consecpiences  of  a  liostile 
collision  with  our  ([uasi  enemy,  which  would  proliably  be  no  less  than 
involving  two  great  nations  in  wai-.  1  did  not  under  the  circumstances, 
however,  consider  myself  at  liberty  to  disicgard  my  orders,  and 
accordingly  resolved  to  land  nndei'  the  guns  of  the  frigate.  The 
connnencing  hostilities  should  l)e  on  their  side.  We  left  Port  Town- 
send  about  VI  o'clock  the  night  of  the  llth,  e.Kpecting  to  reach  San 
•Tuan  early  on  the  morning  of  the  lUth.  The  I'og,  however,  came  n]) 
so  dense  tliat  we  did  not  make  the  island  of  San  duan  until  al)out  7 
ocl(K'k  the  morning  of  the  Kith. 

After  hugging  the  shore  foi-  a  few  miles,  1  was  informeil  by  the 
captain  that  we  were  but  a  short  distance  from  ( 'aplain  IMcketts  camji, 
and  that  it  was  dilHcult  to  get  along  on  account  of  the  fog,  and  that 
more(»ver,  the  tide  was  so  low  that  he  would  not  have  been  able  to  have 
^.i'otten  up  to  the  wharf  at  the  landing  ibr  several  hours. 

Finding  ourselves  a  smooth  jtlaee  near  the  land,  with  the  I'oast  so 
depressed  at  the  point  as  to  make  the  ascent  iVom  the  shore  easy,  1 
buided  the  troops  and  howitzers,  with  orders  to  the  senioi'  otHcer  to 
move  them  to  Cajttain  I'ickett's  camp.  1  proceeded  (»n  the  steamer 
around  t(»  the  wharf,  taking  with  me  my  adjutant  and  a  small  guai'd 
tor  the  howit/er  ammunition  and  other  pultlie  jtropei'ty. 

I  found  the  Tribune  lying  as  has  been  described.  They  did  not 
interfere  with  the  landing  of  our  iVeight.  Whetlier  they  would  have 
interlc'red  with  the  hmdijig  of  the  troops  1  cannot  say.  It  is  (^iptain 
I'ickett's  opinion  that  they  would. 

I'efore   1   had   lauded  tV(»ni   the  steamer  I    received  a  message  iVoni 


at: 


!» 
in 


tl 

Ci 

w, 

el 

"•< 

si 

til 

T 

bi 


1 


ISI.AXn    OF    SAX    JUAN. 


27 


(.'ajitain  J'itkott,  Ity  oik-  ut'  his  ofHi-crs,  re<|U('stin<;-  my  pri-sciice  at  unco 
in  caini*.  The  c'ii|)taiii  pojnti-d  out  to  me  a  IJritisli  war  stcamtT.  astrr- 
taiui'd  afterwards  to  be  the  •*  Satellite,' "  wiiiili  he  was  under  the  im- 
juessiou  was  aliout  takiii«>-  a  ]«»sition  to  shell  the  cani|).  The  eamp 
is  situated  on  a  narrow  neck  of  laml  o|t|»osite  to  the  harhor.  and  distant 
about  two-thirds  (»f  a  mile.  The  ••Tribune."  lyinj;'  in  the  harbor,  has 
on  board  several  hundred  men.  comjxtsed  of  marines,  royal  artillery, 
and  sappers  and  miners,  lb-  expected  the  land  attack  from  the  liarb(»r 
side,  and  was  prepared  to  Hie  uj>on  them  with  his  howitzers  and  then 
spike  them,  deliver  his  lire  with  his  musketry,  and  retreat  to  the 
woods.  Not  having-  time  to  form  any  well  considered  itlan  t>f  my  own, 
with  re<j;ard  to  the  state  of  ati'airs,  I  did  not  countermand  the  direc- 
tions that  Cajttain  Pickett  had  ^iven. 

Seein<^  the  danger  ot  a  collision  at  any  moment,  which  would  inevi- 
tably lead  to  war  between  two  mighty  nations  ciuinccted  by  so  many 
common  bonds,  and  whichever  way  it  might  terminate  woidd  be 
eminently  disastrous  to  the  cause  of  civilization  and  the  interests  of 
humanity.  I  resolved  to  make  an  attempt  to  prevent  so  great  a 
cahimity.  1  sent  an  olticer  alxtard  the  "Tribune"  with  a  ie([uest 
that  Captain  Hornby,  the  commander,  would  call  on  me  at  my  lamp 
for  tlie  purpose  of  a  conference. 

The  message  returned  tt»  me  by  Captain  Hornby  was,  that  he  was 
much  engaged  at  that  time,  and  w»»uld  come  if  he  could  couveniently, 
but  would  be  hai)py  to  see  me  on  board  his  vessel.  Ht»wever,  in  a  few 
hours  the  captain  came,  accomjtanied  by  Ca])tain  Provost,  the  British, 
and  Mr.  Cam])bell.  the  United  States  commissioner. 

I  informed  (>a])tain  llornliy  that  1  had  landed  that  morning  with  a 
force  of  (Tnited  States  troo]>s,  and  explained  to  him  the  I'casou  why 
I  had  not  landed  at  the  wharf,  under  tlie  guns  of  the  frigate.  I 
also  said  to  him  that  I  regretted  that  Captain  Pickett  had  l)cen  so  much 
harassed  and  threatened  in  the  position  he  had  occu])ied. 

1  in(|uircd  of  Captain  Hornby  who  the  t)lHcer  highest  in  command 
was,  and  where  he  was  to  be  found.  He  said  it  was  Admiral  Bayncs. 
and  that  he  was  then  on  lioard  the  ilag-ship  •'(ranges,"  in  Ks(|uimault 
harboi".  1  intimated  a  wish  to  have  a  conference  with  the  admiral,  and 
that  I  would  go  down  to  Ks(juimault  the  next  day  for  tlu'  ])nrpose  of 
the  interview.  I'xitli  the  c!i|itain  ami  the  liritish  commissioner  seemed 
pleased.  The  next  day.  accomi)anied  l)y  V'aptain  I'ickett  (both  iA'  us 
in  full  uniform)  and  .Mr.  Campbell.  1  went  down  to  Ks(|uimauh  on  the 
steamer  Shubrick.  We  anchored  near  the  "(Janges,"  and  1  sent  to 
the  admiral,  by  an  ollicer.  the  note  marked  "A."  1  received  in  rejily 
the  note  marked  •'!}.'"  The  note  marked  ••«'"'  was  taki-n  (»i' ooard  by 
Captain  Pickett  and  handed  to  the  M<lmiral  in  pi'rson.  I'he  captain 
was  courteitusly  rect'ived  by  tlie  admiral,  (ioveruor  Douglas  was  pi-e.s- 
cnt  in  the  cabin,  .\1ter  leading  tlie  note  the  admiral  hantled  it  to  the 
U'overnor.  The  govei'uoi'  in(|iiired  if  \  knew  he  was  on  board  the 
ship.  The  ca|)tain  replieti  that  lie  lia<l  no  ri-ason  to  suppose  1  did.  1)U1 
that  I  had  not  sought  an  iiitervii'w  with  him,  hut  with  the  admiral. 
The  ca[)tain  informed  the  admiral  that  the  steamer  was  then  tiring  up. 
but  that  I  woidd  be  jiappy  to  wait  should  he  then  decide  to  give  me  the 
conterence.  It  was  declined.  Init  the  admiial  reiterated  his  desire  that 
he  would  be  hai>py  to  see  me  on  board  the  ship.      1  was  of  the  opinion 


I 


28 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    JIAN. 


that  I  liiul  Ciiriicd  c'ti(|m'tto  iiir  t'linnp,!!  in  <;;<»iiij;  2r>  miles  to  sec  a  s^eii- 
tlcinau  wlio  was  disiiK-liru'd  to  eoim'  lOl)  yards  to  see  me. 

The  ))ro])ositioiMvhi('h  I  intended  to  liave  made  tiie  admiral  wasthis:  to 
calm  the  rising  exeitement  on  hoth  sides  amoni;'  the  people,  and  to  j^ive 
time  i'or  tlie  intentions  of  the  home  udveiiiment  to  he  made  known  in 
ve<;ard  to  the  matter.  J  intended  to  propose  that  in  case  he.  the  admi- 
ral, wonld  ])ass  his  word  on  honor  that  no  threats  shonld  ]>e  made  or 
molestation  fjjiven  l»y  tlie  force  nnder  his  command  for  the  pnrpose  of 
preventin<<;  Captain  Pickett  from  can ying  ont  the  ordi'rs  and  instruc- 
tions with  which  he  is  intinsted,  1  wouhl  rec<»mmend  to  tlu^  commanding 
j^cneral  the  withdrawal  of  the  reinforcement  which  had  landed  on  the 
island  under  my  command,  and  that  affairs  should  so  remain  until  the 
sovereiicn  authorities  shoidd  announce  their  intentions.  I  have  .so  far 
had  no  further  intercourse  with  any  of  the  officers  of  the  fleet.  Jiieu- 
tenant  Kellogjx,  ',U\  artillery,  heinj::  at  Fort  Steilacoom  on  the  reception 
of  your  (trder,  1  directed  him  to  accompany  me  in  charge  of  the  artil- 
lery. 1  trust  that,  under  the  circumstances,  the  general  commatidiui^ 
will  ap[>rove  my  course  in  the  mattei-. 

The  "  Massachusetts  ■■  arrived  to-day  with  .Alajor  Hallers  command 
on  hoard.  Inasmuch  as  most  of  the  suhsistence  stores  here  are  spoiled, 
havin*;"  heen  damaged  on  hoard  the  "  ■\lassachusetts"  hetore  she  landed 
them  at  Belliui-liam  I'ay,  and  the  articles  of  the(|iiartermaster'sde]>art- 
ment  l)eing  rciiuired.  I  shall  direct  the  "Massacliusetts"  to  proceed,  a.s 
soon  as  tlie  guns  can  l>e  landed,  to  Fort  Townsend.  and  take  from  there 
all  the  puhlic  pro|)erty,  leaving  a  sergeant  and  two  or  three  privates  to 
take  care  of  th(>  l)uildings  and  garden. 

1  inclose  a  list  of  the  slii|ts  and  men  which  the  Hritish  have  in  this 
vicinity.  I  woidd  advise  that  the  general  send  an  ofHcei'  express  to 
8an  Fiancisco,  re(|uesting  the  naval  captain  in  command  to  .send  uj> 
any  ships-ot-war  he  may  have  on  the  coast.  It  is  not  pleasant  to  he  at 
the  mercy  of  any  one  who  is  liahle  at  any  moment  to  heconie  your  open 
enemy.  The  I'ritish  have  a  sufficient  naval  force  here  to  etfectually 
hlockade  this  island  when  they  choose.  1  do  not  know  what  the 
intentions  of  the  British  naval  authorities  with  res]iect  to  this  island 
are.  I  shall  resist  any  attack  they  may  maki'  u[ton  my  position.  1 
re(juest  that  five  full  companies  of  regular  troops,  with  an  otlicer  of 
engineers  and  a  detaclinient  of  sajtpers,  lie  sent  here  as  soon  as  j)ossihle. 
liCt  liieiitenant  Kclloggs  he  one  of"  tlu'  companies.  I  have  inclo.sed 
copies  of  communications  fiom  .Major  Mailer  with  regard  to  his  opera- 
tions with  the  Indians.  I  think  the  major  ex«'rcised  a  commendahlo 
i'ulerprise  in  his  operations,  and  that  there  will  l)e  no  further  difHculty. 
Verv  icspi'i-tfulh  .  voiir  oheilient  servant. 

SILAS  CASKY, 
l.iiiilriiiinl  ('<>h)ncl  \)f/i  Infmil.rij. 

('a)itain  Ai,i'i!i:i)  I'miasonton, 

.\fiivii  Assisfniil  Adjnhiiil  (tiiivrdl .  FnrI  I'ouronri'r.   \V.  7'. 

(liii'losiin.s.) 

1,  Colonel  Casey  to  Admiral  liaynes.  .\ugu>t   II. 

2.  Admiral  Baynes  to  Colonel  Ca.sey,  August  I  I. 
:{.  C(donel  Casey  to  Admiral  Baynes.  August  1  I. 
1.  Statement  of  Britisli  forces  at  San  duan. 


FI 
Ti 


ISr.ANI)    OF    SAN    JLAN. 


21) 


11  h  1.— A. 

UxfTKl)  StATKS  SrilAMKl!  SjninucK, 
/'J.s(ii(.i)ii<iulf  Jftirlior,  fl'.  T.,  Aiiijusf  11,  IH')',*. 

Lieiitcuiiiit  Colour]  Casey,  United  Stales  aiiny,  cuminaiKliiij^  tlie 
turees  on  San  Juan  island,  jjiesents  his  c(jnijdinients  tu  Adniiial  Baynes, 
e(»nnnanding  her  Britannle  ilajestys  naval  forces  on  the  Pacitic  coast, 
and  would  he  hapity  to  meet  the  admiral  in  conlerenei'  on  board  the 
United  States  steamei-  Shuhrick,  in  tlie  liarhoi-,  at  his  earliest  conve- 
nience. 

II  h  -I.—Vk 

''  (JAN(ii:S," 

E.sqmtHuult,  W.  7'.,  AH(jH>it  11.  l.S.-,<). 

Rear- Admiral  Baynes  presents  liiscomi»liments  to  Ijieutenaut  Ctdonel 
Casey,  and  reji,rets  that  circumstances  prevent  him  doing  himself  the 
honor  of  meeting  Lieutenant  Colonel  Casey  on  hoard  the  Shubriok. 
But  Rear-Admiral  JJaynes  will  have  great  ]>leasure  in  receiving  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Casey,  or  any  one  who  may  wish  to  ac<oni})any  liim  on 
board  the  (langes. 

Fiieutenant  Colonel  Casky, 

llnih'd  States  Annij. 

1 1  h  ;{.— c. 

UXITKI)  StATH'<  StKAMKU  Sill  BUR'K, 

E-squimault  Harbor,  W.  T. 

Tiieutenant  Colonel  Casey  regrets  that  circumstances  prevent  llear- 
Admiral  Baynes  iVom  accepting  his  invitation  to  meet  him  on  board 
the  Sliubrick  according  to  bis  request. 

1  U>  4. 

Her  Britannic  Majt'dy  s  Fleet  at  Vanconvcr'.s  Lslamf  and  in  its  vicinity, 
Rear-Adntiral  Btajnes  coininaudintj. 


I 


h 


Niinn'  of  vessel 


Flag-ship  (ranges 

Tribune 

Pylades 

Satellite 

Plumper 


Noof  ;ri>iis. 

Men. 

84 

840 

:n 

:{25 

21 

•^'1^ 

21 

:{2r) 

10 

125  1 

j 

167 

1,040 

Nanii'  of  captiiins. 


Slavel. 

Geoffrey  Phipps  Hornby 

De  Courcey. 

James  Prevost. 

Ricbards. 


The  Tribune,  now  at  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  San  Juan  has,  in  addi- 
tion to  her  own  crew,  a  detachment  of  sai)pers  and  miners  and  marines 
brought  down  from  Frazers  river  on  the  :50th  July  by  the  .steamer 
Plumper,  numbering  200;  total,  2,140. 

The  relative  caliber  of  the  Gauges  guns  unknown ;  she  is  one  of 


30  .  ISLAND    OF   SAX    JLAN. 

tho  (>l(l-l'iishi(>iic'(l  lino  nf  hattlo-sliijts,  X^  vcjir.s  old.  TriltiiiK'  Ims  22 
l)2-lM»uii(ler.s,  \)  i')H-]umny\vvs,  1  of  tluMii  ji  j)iv»»t-i;iiii.  I'vliuK'S  an<i 
Satellite  are  rxS-jioiiiuiers,  20  liroadsiile,  I  pivot;  they  are  tlie  new 
elass  (»f  corvettes  of  wliieli  the  Eii<^lish  are  huiidinj;'  a  great  mmilier. 

Phunper  is  a  surveying'  vessel;  the  annanieiit  is  comparatively 
liglit,  the  guns  are  all  ;)2-})onn(lers. 

On  hoard  the  Heet  there  are  alit»ve  oOO  tro(»ps.  1(10  ot'  that  nuinher 
heing  sajijiers  and  miners,  the  rest  marines. 


11 


c. 


HKADiilAllTHUS  Ca.MI'  I'K'KKIT, 

SfiH  •/mill  Jsliniif,  J/'.  T.,  AiKjmt  14,  I.S,')'.t. 

I'aitain:  1  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  two 
eomnninications  dated  the  8tli  of  August,  and  also  Sjieeial  Orders  No. 
82.  Since  my  last,  nothing  of  moment  has  trans])ired.  The ''Tri- 
Imne"  and  "Satellite"  are  now  in  the  harhor,  with  their  broadsides  on 
the  landing.  J  have  not  been  informed  what  the  intentions  of  the 
l>ritish  force  in  these  waters  are,  hut  am  of  the  ojtinion,  however,  that 
they  have  concluded  to  wait  for  further  instructions  from  higher 
authority  heioro  any  violence  is  uttemptetl.  However,  it  is  a  wise 
maxim  "to  he  ]>iepared  for  the  worst,  while  hoping  for  the  Lest."  1 
shall  accordingly  direct  the  four  companies  of  artillery  at  Steilacoom 
to  join  me  at  once.  In  a  former  communication  1  asked  for  five  com- 
panies antl  an  engineer  otHcer,  with  a  detachment  of  sapjiers.  I  Avould 
like  to  have  them  sent  around  on  board  the  United  States  steamer 
•'Active."  which  Captain  Alden  has  kindly  ])laced  at  my  disposal  for 
carrying  this  dispatch.  The  service  of  the  engineer  olticer  and  the 
detachnicnt  ot'  sa[tpers  would  most  ])robably  l)e  re<iuired  but  a  short 
time.  \Vi'  are  encamped  in  rather  an  exposed  situation  with  regard 
to  the  wind,  being  at  the  entrance  to  the  Straits  of  Fuca.  The  weather, 
at  times,  is  already  ([uite  inclement.  To  maintain  the  (»bject  of  our 
occupation  1  do  not,  however,  from  my  [)resent  informati(»n,  think  it 
advisable  to  change  my  position.  1  have  inclosed  reijuisition  for 
"Sibley  ■■  tents,  with  stoves  and  »[uartei'master"s  stores,  which  I  would 
like  to  be  forwarded  l>y  the  "Active""  on  her  return.  I  have  als^ 
inclosed  a  ]e([uisition  for  subsistence  stores,  which  should  lie  sent  to 
Fort  Steilacoom  as  soon  as  they  can  be  sup])lied  from  San  Francisco. 
In  view  of  the  possible  contingencies  of  the  service,  it  was  my  inten- 
tion to  draw  from  Steilacoom,  as  a  depot,  supplies  as  they  would  be 
needed.  The  '•i\Ias.sachusetts" '  landed  her  guns  and  ammunition  yes- 
terday. I  have  directed  that  she  leave  to-day  for  Port  Townsend 
and  bring  all  the  supplies  from  the  port  to  this  point,  leaving  there  a 
sergeant  iind  two  men  to  take  care  of  the  public  buildings  and  garden. 
I  shall  ))i,  ..•  the  ;»2-i)i»unders  in  jxisition  as  soon  as  possible.  WitI: 
iMir  present  apjdiances  1  Iind  them  rather  ditiicult  to  manage. 

\'erv  rcsjieclfullv  voni'  obedient  servant. 

SILAS  OASEV,  /./.  rW.  1)/A  //j/i(;(//7/. 
Commandhuj  U.  S.  Troops  on  ^Siin  Jih'w  Jslmuf. 

(.'apt.  Alfkkd  ri.KASANTOX.  J.  A.  Adj't  Genl, 

Headquarters  Dep' t  of  Oregon,  Fort  Vancouver,  IV.  T. 


L'  liu.s   22 
iuU'S  and 
the   new 
iniulier. 
aratively 

t^  nuinl)er 


IS,")'.). 

your  t\v.- 

(lers  No. 

he  ''Tri- 

Isich's  on 

IS  of  the 

ver,  tl>at 

1    l)inher 

.s  a  wise 

est."      I 

eilacoom 

ive  eoni- 

I  Avouhl 

steaiuer 

[lo.sal  for 

and  the 

a  short 

I  regard 

iN'eatlier. 

t  of  our 

think  it 

tion  foi' 

I  wouM 

ave  alsi' 

sent  til 

anciseo. 

y  inten- 

ouhl  ])e 

ion  yes- 

)wnsen<l 

there  a 

i;ar(len. 

Wit  I: 


if<in(f. 


ISLAND  01''   SAN   JUAN. 


lid. 


31 


Headquarters  Department  of  Oregon, 

Fort  Vancouver,  W.  T.,  August  IG,  1839. 

Colonel:  The  general  commanding  lias  received  your  reports  of  the 
12th  and  14th  instant,  and  accompanying  papers,  and  instructs  me  to 
reply  as  follows : 

The  supplies  and  stores  reciuired  for  the  command  at  San  Juan 
island  will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  practicable;  the  camp  and  garrison 
equipage  will  be  shipped  on  the  "Active." 

The  course  pursued  by  you  in  ordering  the  four  companies  from 
Steilacoom  to  San  Juan  island  is  approved. 

A  detachment  of  engineers  will  be  sent  you  by  the  mail  steamer ; 
in  the  meantime  have  platforms  made  for  your  heavy  guns,  and  cover 
your  camj)  as  much  as  possible  by  intrenchment,  placing  your  heavy 
guns  in  battery  on  the  most  exposed  approaches ;  the  howitzers  to  be 
used  to  the  best  advantage  with  tlie  troops,  or  in  the  camp,  according 
to  circumstances. 

Select  your  position  Avitli  tlic  greatest  care  to  avoid  the  fire  from  the 
British  ships.  In  sucli  a  position  your  command  should  be  able  to 
defend  itself  against  any  force  the  British  may  land.  The  general  has 
requested  a  naval  force  from  the  senior  officer  on  this  coast,  and  has 
notified  General  Clarke,  as  well  as  tlie  authorities  at  Washington,  of 
the  existing  state  of  affairs  on  the  Sound.  Troops  and  supplies  will 
be  sent  to  you  as  fast  as  they  can  be  collected. 

The  general  regrets,  under  all  tlie  circumstances,  your  visit  to  Esqui- 
mault  harbor  to  sec  the  British  admiral,  but  is  satified  of  your  gen- 
erous intention  towards  them.  He  instructs  you  for  the  future  to  refer 
all  official  communication  desired  l^y  the  British  authorities  to  these 
headquarters,  informing  then^  at  tlie  same  time  that  such  are  your 
orders.  It  is  almost  needless  to  inform  you  that  tlie  subjects  of  Great 
Britain  on  San  Juan  island  will  be  treated  witli  the  same  considera- 
tion and  respect  that  is  shown  to  our  own  citizens. 

I  am,  colonel,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  PLEASONTON, 
Copt.  2d  Dragoons,  A.  A.  AdJ't  Gen'l. 

Lieut.  Col.  S.  Casey,  9//i  Infantry, 

Com'd'g  U.  S.  Troops,  San  Juan  Island,  Puget's  Sound. 


11  c. 

Executive  Office,  Olympia,  W.  T., 

August  11,  1859. 

Sir:  By  yesterday's  mail  I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your  favor  of 
the  7th  instant,  inclosing  copies  of  your  "orders  to  Colonel  Casey, ^| 
"the  proclamation  of  Governor  Douglas,  and  your  reply  to  the  same." 


I 


32 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    JUAN'. 


Amonj^'  other  till  11  ji'.s  Vdu  luivc  liecii  iiK'hslmI  1o  iiiioiiu  luo  that  you 
have  authorized  Colonel  Casey  to  eall  I'nr  vuluuteers,  and  that  you 
"feel  assured  of  my  cordial  e(i6j)i'ratiuii  whcncvei'  an  emergency  may 
demand  it/ 

Keciproeatiiuj;  the  irariicness  dt'yuur  eoiiiiuunieati.in,  1  have  to  reply 
that,  should  the  conteni[)lated  enier^^ency  aiise.  your  just  expectations 
of  the  course  to  he  pursued  hy  myself  shall  nol  he  di<up])ointed,  and 
that  in  such  an  event  J  have  an  ahidinj;-  iiiith  that  the  citizens  of  this 
Territory  will  with  entliusiastic  alaei-ity  i'es])ond  to  any  call  necessary 
for  the  defense  of  individual  ri,>>'hts,  tlie  riuhts  of  their  country,  or  their 
country's  honor. 

I  am,  .general,  most  respectfullv,  MUir  otjedient  servant, 

H.  D.  GliOLSON, 
''(ifrnior  IJl'shi/ujfon  TerrHorij. 


Brigadier  (jleneral  W.  8.  J1arn'i:v. 

Ileachpiartci's  Dt^xnimcul.  of  (Inijoa. 


Furl  Wiiicouvci',  ir.  T. 


V\f. 


llEADQl'ArtTEKS  DkI' AUT.MF.XT  OF  OrEGOX, 

Fori  Vamvncvr,  W.  7'.,  August  10,  1859. 

My  Dear  Sir:  Your  communication  ol'  the  14th  instant  has  just 
heen  received  and  1  hasten  to  ])hice  you  in  ])ossession  of  the  facts  con- 
nected with  the  occupation  of  >?an  Juan  island  hy  some  of  the  trooj)S 
of  my  command.  This  ste]>  would  have  heen  taken  hefnre  hut  I  was 
informed  you  were  en  route  to  Washington. 

I  inclose  for  your  inlbrmatiou  a  co])y  oi'a  ])roiest  issued  hy  (governor 
Douglas,  commander-in-chiei  of  the  island  of  Vancouver,  to  the  occu- 
pation of  Han  Juan  island  and  claiming  the  sovereignty  of  said  island 
for  the  crown  of  (jii'eat  Bivitain,  also  n  copy  of  iDy  letter  to  (T(»vcrnor 
Douglas  in  reply  to  Jiis  protest. 

You  will  jierceive  that  in  my  re[)ly  to  (iovernor  Donghis,  1  charge 
the  British  authorities  of  Vancouver's  island  witli  having  violated  the 
rights  of  American  I'itizens  on  the  island  o!'  San  Juan,  in  such  a  man- 
ner and  hy  such  means  as  to  h\ive  iiic  no  other  alternative  than  to 
occui)y  the  island  for  the  jiroteclion  ..i'  Aun?riean  interests.  In  as- 
suming this  res})onsihility  I  was  carei'ul  to  state  distinctly  and  fully  to 
Governor  Douglas  tiie  jiosiliou  o!' my  Irooji.s  on  the  island  of  San 
Juan,  and  1  reiterate  to  you  tiiat  the  I'ehitive  claims  of  the  two  coun- 
tries has  liad  nothing  to  do  in  tiie  iissignnienl  ol'  the  troops  in  (jues- 
tion.  The  British  authoritit's  chose  to  violate  treaty  stipulations  made 
in  good  faith  ami  maintained  hy  the  I'nited  States  in  good  I'aith — hy 
attempting  to_ arrest  an  American  citizen  on  Sa)i  Juan  island  to  carry 
him  to  Victoria  to  he  tried  hy  Bi'itish  laws;  to  prevent  a.  repetition  of 
this  outrage,  until  the  government  of  the  [Tnited  States  could  he  a])- 
prised  of  it,  I  have  jdaced  troo])s  <ui  the  island  with  such  orders  as  1 
have  deemed  necessary  to  effect  this  ohjeci . 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    JL'AN. 


1 


o  •> 


Witli  tlic  (iiR'stioii  of  hoimdary  iH'tuccii  the  Ciiited  Ntiite.s  iii'd  (invit 
iJritaiii  I  discliiiiu  having;  done  aiiytliiiij;-  with  rt'Sju'ct  to  it  in  ofcu|iy- 
iiig  Sun  Juan  island,  (ireat  liiitain  has  no  sovfrtii^nty  over  Anu'iican 
citizens  on  San  Juan  ishind,  and  eviTy  attempt  made  by  her  autliori- 
ties  to  advance  sucli  clainis  1  shall  resist,  until  further  orders  from  the 
President,  to  whom  1  have  siihmitted  the  whole  matter;  in  the  mean- 
time 1  hope  the  labors  of  your  joint  eomnnssion  will  be  ju'osecuted 
amicably  antl  successfully,  for  I  can  assure  you  that  no  one  is  nion; 
desirous  of  facilitating  your  lal)ors  than  myself. 

I  am,  sir.  with  high  resjiect,  your  ol)e<lient  seivant. 

W.  S.  JIAKNF.V. 
Jli'i</<«/i(r  (iv)u'raL  (^nmiiinmliiui. 
Ai<(iiii5.\iJ>  Cami'ukll,  Es(i., 

U)i if f(l  States  (Jvtnnmsiottcf  Xort/urrsf  linnm/dri/. 

Harbor  San  Juan  island,  J'vfjcf'n  Soiiint. 


I 


12.   (rcnvral  Harni'u  to  the  Jitjutont  (roicrul. 

HkADQIAKTEILS  Di:i»Aia'MKNT  OF  OllHiUN. 

Fort  Vanwuver,  IV.  T.,  AiKjust  25,  18:y.l. 

C'olonkl:  1  have  the  honor  to  inclose  a  copy  of  a  dispatch  from  his 
excellency  (jrovernor  Douglas,  of  her  Britannic  Majesty's  island  of 
Vancouver;  also  a  copy  of  my  reply  to  the  same,  both  of  which  papers 
I  re(iuest  nuiy  be  submitted  for  the  information  of  the  Piesident  of  he 
Unite<l  States,  at  your  earliest  convenience. 

Governor  Douglas  denies  that  the  British  authorities  of  Vancouver's 
Jsland  were  cognizant  of  the  outrage  attempted  upon  an  American 
citizen  on  San  Juan  island,  as  reported  in  my  communication  to  the 
head(juarters  of  the  army,  of  July  ll>,  and  my  letter  to  you  of  the  7th 
instant.  This  denial,  couched  as  it  is  in  strong  language,  does  not 
explain  how  a  British  shi])-of-war  did  convey  ]\lr.  JJallas,  the  chief 
t'actor  of  the  Hudson's  Day  (^nnjiany,  and  son-in-law  of  Oovernor 
Douglas,  to  San  Juan  island:  that  Mr.  Dallas  landed  and  threatened 
an  American  citizen  by  the  name  of  (,'oulter,  with  imprisonment  at 
Victoria,  to  which  place  he  would  he  taken  in  the  ship-of-war  waiting 
lor  him.  This  threat  was  not  put  into  execution  for  the  reason  that 
Coulter  told  Mr.  Dallas  if  it  was  attempted  he  would  kill  Mr.  Dallas 
on  the  spot.  But  Mr.  Dallas  having  left  the  island  in  the  ship-of-war, 
the  conclusion  is  irresistible  that  Mr.  Dallas  either  had  the  ship-of-war 
under  his  control  by  some  direct  authority  from  the  British  authori- 
ties, or  he  was  acting  independent  of  that  authority  in  the  exercise  of 
powers  delegated  to  him  elsewhere. 

If  Mr.  Dallas  can  use  a  British  ship-of-war  to  overlook  the  interests 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  on  this  coast,  without  the  authority  of 
Governor  Douglas  or  the  British  admiral,  which  is  just  what  he  has 
done,  according  to  the  facts  and  Governor  Douglas"  <lispatch,  then  the 
interests  and  rights  of  our  citizens  have  been  in  greater  jeopardy  than 
1  liave  heretofore  supposed,  and  the  necessity  of  retaining  the  occupa- 
tion of  San  Juan  island  is  still  more  imperative. 

Ex.  Doc.  10 3 


:, 't 


34 


I.SI.AM)    OF    SAN    .MAN. 


(ioviTUor  huiiulas  liiis  (ij»|i(isctl  tlic  i)icn|iiili(»ii  nl"  Siiii  .Iiiiiii  on  tlic 
•ijrtiuntl  of  suv('rci;;;iity.  and  lays  j^rcat  Ntrcss  ii|ioii  Mr.  Marcy's  <lis- 
patcli  (if  July  17,  IH.').'),  to  her  Majesty's  minister  at  \Vasliin<;tou. 

In  a  coniinunication  to  Comniissionor  ('ani|il>ell.  of  tlie  iioitliwcst 
Itoundary  survey,  I  liave  disclninied  any  intention  of  assertin*;  any 
sovereignty  over  the  islantl  of  San  duan,  luyond  tliat  which  the  necessity 
of  the  case  has  demanded.  A  copy  of  this  connnunication  has  already 
been  sent  to  you. 

Mr.  Marcy's  instructions  in  reference  to  the  conduct  of  officers  of 
the  two  goveiiiments.  never  contemplated  the  case  of  a  direct  ajigres- 
si(»n  on  the  iij;hts  of  oui"  peojde.  backed  liy  so  powerful  a  naval  force 
as  t(»  create  stronii;  surmises  of  its  intentions.  Indeed,  so  extraordinary 
has  been  the  course  of  conduct  of  the  British  in  reference  to  San  Juan, 
and  so  evident  has  1>een  their  desi|j;n  to  tbicc  our  ])eo])le  from  the  island, 
that  I  should  cnusider  I  had  been  reireant  to  the  high  trust  imposed 
on  me,  in  not  taking  jiossession  of  the  island,  it  being  the  (uily  ])osi- 
tion  from  wliith  we  could  defend  our  rights  to  advantage. 

Eight  comjianies  are  now  on  the  island  witli  eight  IJ'i-pounders 
landed  from  TJie  steamer  ^fassacliusetts.  A  detachment  of  engineer 
troops  are  engaged  with  the  troops  in  constructing  a  tield-work  to 
defend  their  jtosition.  at  the  same  time  protect  them  from  any  lire  from 
the  water.  This  command  is  fully  supplied  for  over  two  months,  and 
is  considered  now  to  be  able  to  hold  its  own  in  the  event  (tf  any 
difficuly  until  reinforcements  could  arrive. 

I  indosi!  a  copy  of  (iovernor  Douglas'  message  t(»  the  legislature  of 
Vancouver's  Island:  also  of  "The  liritish  ('(donies,"  the  government 
paper  published  at  Victoria,  giving  au  account  of  the  jtroceedings  of 
the  asseml)Iy  in  relation  to  Sail  Juan;  also  au  editorial,  complaining 
that  an  error  had  been  committed  by  somebody  on  their  side.  Our 
(juick-witted  ]teo])le  were  aware  of  that  fact  nearly  two  mouths  ago. 

I  am  colonel,  verv  respectfullv,  vour  obedient  seivant, 

WM.  S.  HARNEV, 
lifiijtuVH'r  (lencral  Comniaiiillini. 

t!olonel  S.  Cooi'kk, 

Adjiitiinf  (iiiicrul  V.  S.  Anuij,   Wasli'mfjton  City.  ]).  (\ 


a. 


( J UVKUXMKNT  Hoi'.sK, 

Victoria,  Vancouirr's  Mnml,  Awjmt  lo,  IS.V.). 

Sir:  On  the  evening  of  the  lOtli  instant  I  had  the  honor  of  receiving 
your  disj)atch,  dated  Fort  Vancouver,  August «),  1859. 

2.  In  reply  tbereto.  1  must  thank  you  for  the  fiank  and  straight- 
forward manner  in  which  you  communicate  to  me  your  reasons  for 
occupying  the  island  of  San  Juan,  on  tlie  Haro  archii)elego,  with  a 
portion  of  the  military  forces  of  the  United  States  nnder  your  com- 
mand. 

)i.  I  am  glad  to  find  that  you  have  done  so  under  vour  general 
instructions  from  the  Presidetit  of  the  United  States  as  inilitary  com- 
mander of  the  department  of  Oregon,  and  not  by  direct  authority 
from  the  cabinet  at  Washington . 


II  tllc 
;  (lis- 


(/"/. 


■oiving 


nught- 


TSI-ANI)    OK    SAN    .ITAN'. 


8fi 


4.  V(Hi  statf  timt  tin.*  reasons  wliicli  iii<lii(i'»l  y<<\\  i..  take  that  fuiirsc 
are  the  "insults  and  indignities  wliieli  the  I')riti>.||  autln.rities  «»t' 
Vanconver's  Island  and  tlie  estahlislinieiit  of  the  Hudson's  Mav  ('(»ni- 
jiany  liave  reeently  ottered  to  American  eiti/ens  n-sidini;-  on  tlie  island 
fit"  San  .luan,  by  sending  a  liritish  sliip-of-war  from  Vaneouvers  Island 
to  convey  tlie  ehief  faet(»r  of  the  Hudson's  Uay  Company  to  San  dnan. 
for  the  jMirpose  of  seizing  an  American  eiti/eii  and  foreiltjy  transporting 
him  to  V^uu'onver's  Island  to  be  tried  by  IJritish  laws." 

").  I  will  explain  for  your  information  that  the  agents  of  the  Hnd- 
son's  Bay  Company  hold  no  ottieial  position  in  Vancouver's  Island, 
nor  exercise  any  oiKcial  jmwer  or  authority,  and  are  as  entindy  dis- 
tinct from  the  ofticers  of  the  executive  government  as  are  any  of  the 
other  inhabitants  of  Vancouver's  Island. 

(5.  To  the  rei)orted  outrage  on  an  American  citi/en  I  beg  to  give  the 
most  unhesitating  and  unqualified  denial. 

None  of  her  Majesty's  ships  have  ever  been  sent  to  convey  the  chief 
factor  or  any  officer  of  the  Hudson's  Hay  Comi»any  to  San  d nan  for 
the  pur]»ose  of  seizing  an  American  citi/en,  nor  has  any  attempt  ever 
been  made  to  seize  an  American  citizen  and  to  transport  him  forcibly 
to  Vancouver's  Island  i'or  trial,  as  represented  by  you. 

7.  Up  to  a  very  recent  period  Init  one  American  citizen  has  been 
lesident  on  San  Juan.  Al)out  the  commencement  of  the  ))rcsent  year 
a  few  Anierican  citizens  Itegan  to  "  scpiat  "  upon  the  island,  and  uj)on 
one  occasion  a  com[)laint  was  made  to  me  by  a  British  su'oject  of  some 
wnmg  connnitted  against  his  property  liy  an  American  citizen,  but  no 
attention  was  paid  to  that  complaint  out  (»f  consideration  and  respect 
to  the  friendly  government  to  which  the  alleged  otl'ender  l)elonged, 
and  whoso  citizens,  1  think,  it  cannot  be  denied,  have  always  Itcen 
treated  with  marked  attention  by  all  the  British  authorities  in  these 
|>arts. 

With  reference  to  San  Juan,  in  particular,  1  have  always  acte<l  with 
the  utmost  caution,  to  prevent,  so  liir  as  ndght  lie  in  my  ])ower,  any 
ill  feeling  arising  from  cidlisions  between  British  subjects  and  Ameri- 
can citizens,  and  have  in  that  respect  cordially  endeavored  to  carry  out 
the  views  of  the  United  States  government  as  expressed  in  a  dis]>atch 
from  Mr.  Marcy,  dated  17th  July,  18'),"),  to  her  Majesty's  minister  at 
Washington,  a  copy  of  which  I  herewith  inclose  for  your  information, 
as  I  presume  that  the  document  cannot  be  in  your  ])ossession. 

8.  Following  the  dignifietl  policy  recommended  by  that  dispati-h,  1 
should,  in  any  well-grounded  case  of  complaint  against  an  American 
citizen,  have  referred  the  matter  to  the  federal  authorities  in  Washing- 
ton Territory,  w^ell  assured  that  if  wrong  had  been  committed  repara- 
tion would  have  followed. 

9.  I  deeidy  regret  that  you  did  not  communicate  with  me  tor  in- 
formation upon  the  subject  of  the  alleged  grievance;  you  would  then 
have  learned  how  unfounded  was  the  complaint,  and  the  grave  action 
you  have  adopted  might  have  been  avoided.  I  also  (lee]dy  regret  that 
you  did  not  mention  the  matter  verbally  to  me  when  I  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  seeing  you  at  Victoria  last  month;  for  a  i'ew  words  from  me 
would,  I  am  sure,  have  removed  from  your  mind  any  erroneous  im- 
jiressions,  and  you  would  have  ascertained  per.sonally  from  mo  how 


^ 


II 


S6 


ISI.ANI)    OF    SAN    .11  AN. 


anxious  1  liavi'  ivci'  Ik-i-ii  to  cniiju'ratt'  to  tlic  iitiiiost  ot  iii\  powfr  with 
tlu' otHrcrs  ol"  tin-  I'liitc-l  Stati's  ^ovcniiiiciit  in  any  measures  which 
nii^ht  lie  iniitiially  hetielii-ial  to  the  citi/ens  of  the  twt   fonutries. 

10.  Ilavin;^:  ^iven  you  a  <listinet  and  eni|>hatir  th'iiial  of  the  firemn- 
staiiees,  wliieh  you  alh\!j;e  imluet'il  yuu  to  ue('U|ty  the  ishiiid  of  San 
.Juan  with  rnited  States  troops;  havin<;'  shown  you  that  the  reasons 
you  assi<iu  do  not  exist,  and  havini;'  endeavi>re<|  to  assure  you  of  my 
readiness  un  all  occasions  to  act  foi-  tlie  protection  uf  Amerit-an  eiti/ens 
and  for  tin-  promotion  of  theii'  weltiii-e,  1  must  call  upon  you.  sir,  if  not 
as  a  matter  (»f  ri,<;ht  at  least  as  a  matter  of  justice  and  (»f  humanity,  to 
withdraw  the  troops  now  (piartered  u))on  t he  islnml  of  San  duan.  for 
those  troops  are  not  reijuired  for  the  protection  of  American  citizens 
uj^ainst  British  authorities,  and  the  continuance  of  those  tr(»ops  upon 
an  islanil.  the  soverui;inty  of  which  is  in  dispute,  not  oidy  is  a 
marked  discourtesy  to  a  frieinlly  government,  lait  complicates  to  an 
undue  dej^ree  the  settlement  in  an  amicahle  manner  of  the  (jiiestion  of 
sovereijj;nty,  and  is  also  calculated  t(»  jirovidce  a  collision  l)etweoii  the 
military  fftrces  of  two  friendly  nations  in  a  distant  part  of  the  world. 

I  haye  the  honor  to  he.  sir.  your  most  ohedient  seryant. 

dAMES  lH)l'(il.AS 

Brij^'adier  (Jeneral  \V.  S.  IIaunkv. 

Cointnoitiliitif  ilif  trmtps  In  tin'  JJcpnrfiiioif  i>f  (h'rfjon. 


\'2h. 


lli;.\nijrAKTKKs  Dki'aktmknt  of  OuwioN, 

Forf  Voncoiicer.   IV.  7\.  Jfi(fn,sf  24,  lS,"i'.>. 

Sir:  I  have  the  lioimr  to  acknowledfio  the  receipt  of  your  communi- 
cation of  the  loth  instant,  which  came  to  me  hy  mail  this  morniufi^. 
The  copy  (tf  Mr.  Marcy's  dispatch  of  the  ITth  duly.  185'),  to  her 
Majesty's  minister  at  \Vashin<;ton.  stated  to  he  in  y(»nr  communication 
inclosed,  was  not  received.  This  I  presume  was  an  accidental  omission 
in  the  transmission  of  your  letter. 

It  was  with  })leasure  I  received  from  your  excellency  a  prom])t  <lis- 
avowal  of  any  intention  on  the  part  of  the  Britisii  authorities  of  Van- 
couver's Island  to  commit  any  a^*;ression  upori  ihe  rij^hts  of  American 
citizens  residin*;'  on  San  duan  island,  and  I  de  ire  to  communicate  to 
you  that  I  shall  forward  this  dis|»atch  by  the  tirst  o})])ortunity  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  to  enal)le  him  to  consider  it  in  connec- 
tion with  all  the  facts  duly  reported  t(»  him.  attendinji;  the  occupation 
of  San  Juan  island  l>y  a  portion  of  the  troops  luider  my  command. 

Your  excellency  has  l)een  pleased  to  express  how  anxious  you  have 
ever  been  to  cotiperate  with  the  otHcers  of  the  United  States  ;^overnment 
in  any  measures  which  mi«j;ht  be  mutually  boneticial  to  the  citizens  of 
the  two  countries,  and  your  rcf;ret  is  signified,  that  communication 
with  you  on  the  sul)ject  of  the  occupation  of  San  duan  island  had  not 
been  sou«;^ht  during-  my  late  a;.,M'eeable  visit  to  your  excellency  at 
Victoria. 

I  bej:;  to  ofter  in  reply  that  I  havi-  cordially  reciprocated  the  senti- 
ments of  friendship  and  good  will  you  have  nuinifested  towards  Ameri- 
can interests  from  the  period  of  my  service  with  this  conmiaud.      In 


IS1,AN'I>    OK    SAN    .II'AN. 


37 


tt)  her 
ication 


that  tiiiK'  I  havi'  on  two  difli'it'iit  occasions  niitilicd  the  ;>'o\crnnu'nt  ot' 
tlic  [Suited  States  ot'  yoni'  acts  iill'cctin};"  our  citi/ciis  in  terms  ol'  c(»ni- 
iii('ii(hition  and  praise  as  assurances  ot'  ii  itroper  a|i|tr('ciation  of  the 
c(»iiH(U'nce  re|»ose(l  hy  my  ^overnineiit  in  that  of  her  Majesty.  On  my 
late  visit  to  N'ictoria  I  was  without  knowhdi^e  that  any  occurrence  had 
taken  ]>hici' on  San  .luan  ishiiid  to  outraije  the  feel  in  us  of  its  itiliahi- 
tants,  else  I  shouhl  tlien  have  informed  your  e\celh'ncy  what  I  con- 
ceived it  hecamc  incumhent  for  nie  to  (h)  un(h-r  such  circumstances. 

Tiie  exphinatioii  your  e.vceUency  has  advanced,  wliih'  it  scrvj's  to 
remove  the  imitression  at  first  created  ot'  a  dir<'et  action  on  the  part  of 
the  British  authorities  of  Vaiu'(»uver's  Ishmd  in  the  recent  occiirrenees 
on  San  .luaii  ishmd  against  the  rij^hts  of  our  citizens,  (htes  n(»t  expose 
any  evitUMice  of  a  preventive  nature  to  a  re])etition  of  the  acts  which 
have  caused  so  serious  a  misunderstafidin<j:  in  the  minds  of  the  American 
peopU^  on  San  Juan  ishmd;  nor  has  the  course  wliicli  events  have 
taken  since  the  occupation  of  the  ishmd  hy  the  troo])s  of  my  command 
heen  of  sudi  character  as  to  reassure  tliese  j)eopU',  couhl  the  contents 
of  your  dispatch  he  aiinouuced  to  tluMii.  ». 

From  what  has  taken  phice,  I  do  not  feel  myself  (|ualified  to  with- 
draw the  present  command  from  ►'•in  Juan  ishmd,  until  the  pleasure 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States  has  heen  made  known  on  the 
subject ;  1  can,  however,  frankly  assure  your  excellency  that  the  same 
motives  which  have  induced  me  to  listen  to  the  ajijieals  of  my  own 
countrymen  will  he  exerted  in  causing  the  rif^hts  of  her  Majesty's 
suhjectH  on  San  Juan  to  be  held  inviolate. 

I  have  the  honor  to  l)e,  verv  respectfuUv,  your  obedient  servant. 

W.  S.  HARNEY, 
Brigadier  General  United  States  Arnnj  Comrnandiny. 

His  excellency  James  Doiclas, 

(\  ]i.,  Governor  of  Vancouver' ff  Mand 

and  it.s  dependencies,  Vice-Adrniral  of  the  same,  dx. 


\ 


])t  dis- 
of  Van- 
merican 
icate  to 
to  the 
connec- 
upation 
land. 
»u  have 
rnment 
izens  of 
nication 
bad  not 
encv  at 


12  c. 

(ioVKRN.MKNT  IIoiSH, 

Victoria,  Amjnxt  l>,  18r>y. 

7b  the.  LcAjidative  Council  and  House  of  Assemhhj 

of  the  Colony  of  Vancouver's  Island: 

(tENTLKMKN  :  1  have  to  communicate  for  your  infornuition  tlie  intelli- 
gence of  the  landiufi;  of  a  detachment  of  United  States  tro<»ps  on  the 
island  of  San  Juan,  avowedly  (see  inclosed  Nos.  1  and  2)  tor  the  j)ur- 
|)ose  of  f(n-min<i:  a  military  jwst,  and  of  assertinjjf  the  soverei<rnty  of  the 
United  States  to  that  ishmd.  Havin*?  received  no  information  from 
any  quarter  that  the  United  States  ever  contem})lated  taking?  military 
possession  of  any  part  of  the  disputed  territory,  while  the  boundary 
line  renuiined  unsettled,  I  am  forced  to  believe  that  the  late  uiuyar- 
rantable  and  discoiu-teous  act,  so  contrary  to  the  usages  of  civilized 
nations,  has  originated    in  error,  and   been   undertaken   witliout   the 


38 


ISLAM)    OF    SAN    JUAN. 


authority  of  that  j;ovornii)ent.  That  iiiijUTs^iou  is  corrohciatcd  hy  a 
letter  (a  cojiy  of  whidi  is  liere  iiich)S('(l)  from  the  Hon.  W.  L.  Marcy, 
vSecretary  of^the  United  States,  chited  Washington,  .Inly  12,  1855.  to 
her  Majesty's  minister  at  Washin«;ton,  whieh  contains  instructions 
from  the  J'resident  of  the  United  States  to  tlie  «;overnor  of  Washiniijton 
Territory,  and  displays,  in  the  cleiuvit  manner,  the  conciliatory  and 
moderate  views  entertained  hy  his  >;-overiiment  on  the  suhject  of  tlie 
disputed  territory. 

Thoujijh  the  right  of  (freat  Britain  to  all  the  islands  situated  to  the 
westward  of  "Vancouver"  or  "liosario"  straits  is,  to  our  minds, 
clearly  estahlished  hy  the  tirst  article  of  the  treaty  of  184(),  andthou«?h 
those  islands  have,  since  the  foundation  of  this  colony,  heen  considered 
as  a  dependency  of  Vancouver's  Island,  it  is  well  known  to  you,  gen- 
tlemen, that  out  of  res])ect  to  the  construction  that  has  l)een  }>ut  u]kui 
that  treaty  hy  the  government  of  the  United  States  we  have  ahstained 
from  exercising  exclusive  sovereignty  over  them.  Convinced  that  an\ 
0  assum])tion,  on  either  side,  of  ex'dusive  right  to  tlie  disputed  territory 
^Mould  sin. ply  he  a  fruitless  and  mischievous  waste  of  energy,  neitliT 
detracting  from  nor  adding  force  to  the  claims  uf  either  nation,  wise  and 
ronsidenite  jjolicy  enjoins  u|)on  us  the  ]iart  of  leaving  so  important  a 
national  question  t(>r  settlement  hy  the  j»roper  authorities,  and  of  avoid- 
ing complications  f(»reign  to  the  views  and  wishes  of  and  ]>rohah';. 
eniharrassing  to  l)oth  governments.  Immediately  on  heing  ii>.''.rmed 
of  the  landing  of  the  United  States  troojts  at  SaTi  .luan,  her  ■Majesty's 
ship  "  Tril)Uiie,'  under  the  command  of  Captain  Hor'iliy,  was  dis- 
patched to  tliat  (piarter,  and  soon  after  a  detachment  oi'  n»ya!  engi- 
neers and  royal  marine  light  infantry  were  oideied  from  New  West- 
minster by  her  Majesty's  sliip  "  l'lunii)er.  "  Captain  liichards,  and 
those  troops  will  ]»e  lande^l  at  San  fJnan  to  jirotect  the  hves  and  pr(>p- 
erty  of  liiitish  suhjei-ts.  Vou  will  ohserxe.  gentlemen,  fidui  inclosiure 
No.  1.  that  the  ca]»tain  in  command  of  the  Ignited  States  detachment 
of  troojts.  in  a  [)uhlic  notice,  dated  'iTth  of  duly,  assuin-'s  the  exercise  of 
exclusive  f;(ivei-eign  rights  in  the  i.<land  of  San  dnan,  wliile  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  altogether  disclaims  sucli  ptetensions,  and 
seeks  at  iuost  to  continue  the  ,i<»int  right  of  soxcreignty  and  domain 
in  C(Utimon  with  (Jreat  IJrItain  We  may  presume  from  that  circni^i- 
stfince  that  the  notice  in  (piestion  was  framed  in  ignorance  of  the  inten- 
tions of  the  Ignited  States  government,  and  tl'.it  the  ]»retensions  set 
forth  will  not  he  maintained.  Entertaining  such  o]>iiiions.  I  hstve  nut 
failed  to  impress  on  her  Maj<'sty's  naval  oiHcers  imiw  stationed  at  San 
Juan  the  desire  of  her  ^Majesty  s  jrovei'mn*  lit  to  avoid  every  course 
which  may  unnecessarily  involve  the  suspension  of  the  amicable  rela- 
tions siibsisting  between  (ireat  l*:itain  and  the  ('iiited  States.  At  the 
same  time,  those  ofhcers  have  been  instructed  and  are  ])i'e|»ared  to 
assert  the  rights  and  to  maintain  the  honor  and  dignity  of  our  sover- 
eign and  her  dominions. 

f  have  the  honor  to  be.  gentlemen,  vour  most  obedient  servant, 

dAMKS  1)()U<;LAS. 


ISLAND    OF    SAX    JIAN. 


39 


1 2  il. 

[Froiii  thi    ••  Hritisli  Colonist."  Vii-tona,  Au^'ust  17,  IH;V.).) 
It<'}tl>/  in  (iDVcrnor's  Mi.ssaijc  nhonf  San  Jnaii. 

^'RT01UA.  V.   I., 

Ifox.sf  nf  A-ssrtiihli/,  Friddif,  Auijuxf  12,  IS.V.J. 

Mr.  S|)oaker,  leanniij^  that  neither  Mr.  Skinner  nor  Mr.  IVnil)ert»>n 
intended  to  insist  on  tlieir  motion  us  regards  San  Jnan,  had  ])re})ared 
a  reply  to  the  message.  He  eonsidered  that  a  great  mistake  had  heen 
made  by  tlie  government  in  sending  ont  men  to  .settle  the  bonndary. 
Common  sense  and  dollars  should  have  been  .sent.  The  dollar  the 
Americans  worship.  If  dollars  had  been  used,  a  ditlerent  interpreta- 
tion vif  the  treaty  might  have  been  made.  Why  not  have  made  the 
proceeding  a  meie  mercantile  ali'air  and  [)aid  the  commissioner?  Then 
the  island  would  have  been  ours  and  the  Americans  would  have  clearly 
seen  the  justice  of  our  claim.  But  a  general  on  his  own  authority  had  in- 
vaded our  territory.  His  gr<»nnds  fbi-  dcnng  S(»  were  based  on  falsehood 
und  carried  out  clandestinely.  What  more  could  be  expected  of  a  man 
who  has  s])eut  a  lifetime  in  warring  with  Indians?  But  what  is  to  be 
done?  His  e.Kcellency  sends  trotM)s  and  shijjs.  Why  all  this  exjiense 
and  show  if  for  parade  ?  Why  were  not  the  troops  landed?  Instcail 
of  fighting,  her  IMajestys  captains  take  to  diplomacy.  It  shar'cs  mo 
to  think  that  tlie  Satelite  was  running  around  at'ter  L'on\mis.<:onei' 
Campbell.  I  am  asluimed  to  think  that  pc^st  captains  were  holdi;»g  a 
pow-wow  with  a  subaltern  of  the  American  army.  They  sluuild  ha/'^ 
laiided  their  troops  and  avoidi'd  all  degrading  negotiations.  But  more 
troops  have  landed  in  sjiite  of  ])ost  ca]ttains  and  admirals.  (Here  ho 
road  some  extracts  from  'ho  Blue  Juxtk  of  j)ritish  (Vdumbia  enjitining 
the  necessity  of  accustoming  tb.e  colonists  to  dd'en:!  them.s(dves.)  Vos, 
a  militia  must  bo  raised.  We  nmst  defend  <tursel\r<.  fur  iho  jtosition 
wo  occujty  to-day  would  make  the  iron  momunont  of  Wellington  weep, 
and  the  stony  statue  of  Xelson  bend  his  brow. 

The  rei»ly  to  the  message  was  then  read.  Mr.  Vates  argued  with  a 
[tart  of  the  address  ;  but  coubl  not  uutlerstand  why  the  houttrablo 
speaker  had  said  in  it  that  the  time  to  land  troojts  has  gone  by.  My 
motion  is  to  learn  why  they  wore  not  landed.  The  time  to  laiid  then 
was  when  there  was  ik;  danger  of  blood  ])eing  shed.  Now,  perhi>i»s. 
the  case  is  different. 

Mr.  Pendierton.  i  am  not  sure  that  the  tiii'o  to  land  troojis  has  gone 
by.  If  it  has  not.  I  recommend  his  excellency  to  land  them.  That 
portion  of  the  address  in  relatit)n  to  militia  I  would  leave  out.  W  we 
asked  the  honu'  government  for  arms  for  the  militia,  they  vould  bo 
likely  to  send  us  some  old  muskets  fiom  the  Tower  loU  years  (dd.  No 
allus'ion  has  been  made  to  British  subjects  occupying  the  island.  1 
think  it  necessary. 

Mr.  Speaker.  I  think  there  was  a  council  on  i)oard  Hie  H  ig-ship. 
His  oxcoUoncy  was  present.  Xogotiations  was  the  object,  perhaps,  us 
American  officers  had  arrived  on  the  Shubrick.  I  would  not  Indd  any 
negotiations  with  so  dishonorable  a  man  as  (.'ampboU.    1  have  not  said 


40 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    JUAN. 


unytliiniL:;  in  tla-  addifss  jilioiit  Siiii  .liiiiii  as  tlu'  key  to  I*>ritish  Colnm- 
]»ia.      I  leave  that  to  liis  excellency. 

Mr.  Vatos  )»ief'erre(l  iiej;()tifi'iim  t<»  wai'.  I  lielievi'  tlie  jiowcrs  that 
lie  havi'  heen  too  slow,  and  ]un  tlie  <;ovciii(if  in  a  false  j)osition.  My 
in(»tion  is  to  loain  who  is  to  l)lanu'. 

Mr.  Poniherton  Ix'iieveil  a  f(.'W  s(ddiers,  it' snppoited  hy  a  man-ot-war, 
could  land  without  danger  of  collision. 

Mr.  IMcKay  was  favorahle  to  hindin|jc  troops  at  all  hazards. 

Mr.  Speaker  had  no  doubt  tlie  naval  officers  jiadsaid:  Now,  Mr, 
Pickett,  will  you  allow  us  to  land? 

Mr.  Foniberton  thoutflit  the  C(doay  would  l»e  benefited  by  the  difh- 
cdlty.  A  lar<.!,e  naval  station  would  be  built  here,  and  everythin}^ 
would  be  removed  from  Valparaiso. 

Mr.  Speaker  thouj^ht  the  honorable  uu'm])er  very  patriotic  in  takinji; 
such  an  interested  view  of  the  (question.  He  cared  nothing  for  the 
paltry  local  advantages.  It  is  a  national  question,  and  in  that  light, 
alone  he  looked  at  it. 

Mr.  Pem])erton  })roposed  the  occupation  of  Lopez  island  l)y  Hritish 
troops. 

After  some  amendments  to  the  achlress,  the  following  to  the  gov- 
ernor's message  was  then  adojttec'. : 

A1>I)KKS<. 


The  house  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  your  excellency's  communi- 
cation of  P  8d  instant  relating  to  the  clandestine  invasion  of  San 
Juan  island  by  United  States  troojis,  and  the  ste])s  to  Iv  adopted  in 
relation  tliereto. 

Since  that  communication  it  is  well  known  that  additional  forces 
have  been  landed. 

The  house  would  therefore  inquire  why  the  British  forces  were  not 
landed  to  assert  our  just  right  to  the  island  in  (^uestio!i,  and  to  uphold 
the  honor  of  0(tr  country  and  our  Queen. 

The  house  woij'.l  nu)st  urgently  impress  upon  your  excellency  to 
enforce  u])on  her  Majesty's  government  the  necessity  of  demanding  from 
the  government  of  the  United  States  nut  only  immediate  withdrawal 
of  t'lose  troops,  l)ut  also  strenuously  and  at  all  risks  to  maintain 
her  light  to  the  island  in  <[uostion,  and  also  to  all  other  islands  in 
the  same  archijielago.  now  so  clandestinely,  dishonorably,  and  dis- 
honestly invaded. 

It  is  not  for  our  country  tu  be  wantonly  imd  insolently  insulted,  but 
redress  must  be  demanded. 

The  weakness  of  the  cidony  is  its  greatest  danger,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  an  inducement  for  the  repetition  of  similar  offenses  by  similar 
persons.  Let  it,  therefore,  be  urged  upon  her  Majesty's  government 
that  sending  out  colonists  rapidly  from  (irreat  Britain  is  the  surest  way, 
not  only  of  jiaintaining  peace,  but  of  preserving  intact  her  JMajesty's 
possessions.  Coupled  with,  this,  the  house  would  |)ropose  that  free 
".ml  liberal  grants  of  hind  be  given  to  such  emigrants  after  settling 
there(ui  for  a  certain  time, 


JSLANl)    OF    SAN    JL'AN. 


41 


12  r. 

[I-'n.m   ill.'  "  Hiitisli  Col.iiiist.'"  Vi.lori;!.  AhL'iist   IT.  |iS59.) 
WHV    WKIJK    Nor    TKdol'S    l,A.\l>!;i>    AT   SAN    .UAN? 

On  our  first  pii^e  will  Im-  found  the  asscuildy  (k^Date  on  tlio  gov- 
ernor's message  in  relation  to  liinding  soldier- "on  San  .hian.  From 
the  severe  strietures  passed  on  our  navfil  oftieers  liy  the  speaker,  who 
is  taken  as  the  exjtonent  of  the  government,  it  is  evident  that  a  serious 
difference  of  opinion  as  to  our  jioliey  exists  between  the  naval  and 
civil  authorities.  It  is  difficult  to  imagine  how  so  high  an  official 
could  use  such  language  except  from  information  derived  from  official 
sources;  and  it  is  still  more  difficult  to  helieve,  as  suggested  l)y  the 
chairman  during  debate,  that  the  naval  authorities  had  refused  to 
land  when  they  had  no  discretionary  instructions.  If  they  had  full 
instructions  to  land,  the  unenviable  position  of  the  government,  since 
the  publication  of  the  message,  is  justly  chargeable  to  them.  If,  on 
iho  other  hand,  they  were  governed  by  discretionary  instructions,  the 
ci:  -?-ps  against  the  commanders  of  her  Majesty's  ships  for  equivocal 
I'wuduct  is  justly  reprehensible.  No  future  exi)lanation,  however,  can 
explain  away  the  palpable  inference  which  will  bo  drawn  from  the 
language  used  in  debate. 

An  error  has  ])een  connnitted  by  somebody.  Either  the  administra- 
tion she  M  have  been  satisfied  with  a  pacific  policy,  manifested  by 
serving  the  United  States  authorities  with  a  formal  protest  or  an  asser- 
tion of  our  sovereignty  in  the  first  place,  and  then  have  allowed  the  mat- 
ter to  rest  till  dispatches  were  received  from  the  imperial  govern)  lent, 
or  it  should  at  once  have  landed  troops  on  the  island,  without  making 
such  a  display  of  force  or  asking  i)ermission.  We  confess  that  we  are 
not  disposed  to  accept  jteace  at  any  price;  for  if  that  were  the  case, 
cowardice  would  be  the  safest  policy.  We  do,  however,  concur  with 
the  o])inion  expressed  in  the  message  that  our  forces  should  have  been 
landed,  ^'he  Americans  took  the  ground  that  their  citizens  required 
protection  i  v!  that  they  landed  troo})s  with  that  object.  Now,  in 
order  to  j,i  1'  (:  ,>ritish  subjects  on  the  island,  we  also  should  have 
done  the  same  '!'iien  our  jtosition  would  have  been  exactly  similar  to 
theirs.  On  this  liigh  ground,  had  bloodshed  followed,  we  could  have 
appealed  to  the  world,  with  right  on  our  side,  certain  of  a  verdict  in 
our  favor.  As  it  is.  (Ik*  Americans  have  been  allowed  to  strengthen 
their  forces  with  men,  nuuiiti'>ns  of  war,  and  settlers,  and  actually 
occupy  private  property  lon;r  in  the  ])ossession  of  British  subjects, 
whilst  we,  apparently  dividetl  in  our  o);;iKils,  have  made  a  grand  and 
useless  I'arade,  and  done  nothing  but  render  ourselves  ridiculous. 
Whoever  are  the  ])arties,  or  whatever  are  the  causes  why  a  vigorous 
and  firii:  ^  )licv  has  not  been  pursued,  it  is  certain  an  exjdanation  is 
«lue  to  account  for  the  charges  made  against  the  naval  forces  in  ov.r 
waters. 

In  the  meaiitime  some  action  ought  to  be  taken  by  the  people  to 
show  the  deep  interest  we  have  in  San  Juan,  and  that  we  are  deter- 
mined to  protect  our  fellow-subjects  (»n  the  island.  In  addition,  it  is 
necessary  to  arouse  our  sister  c(donies  to  the  importance  of  the  island 


I 


42 


ISLAxVD   OF    SAN   JUAN, 


to  British  Amerira,  and  show  to  the  iiii]ioiial  ^C'»\*'''i>"i<^'iit  tlic  ntrcs- 
sitv  of  liohling  the  ishaid  to  guard  the  overhiud  transit  from  (ireat 
Britain  to  licr  Asiatic  deponiU'ncies. 

It  matters  not  what  may  or  njay  not  liave  l)oen  said  by  British  or 
American  statesmen  in  rehition  to  the  reputed  ehiims  to  Canal  de  Haro 
or  Rosario  straits.  We  are  forced  to  abide  by  the  treaty.  If  the 
United  States  knew  all  about  Canal  de  Haro  at  the  time  of  the  treaty, 
and  that  the  line  was  detlected  from  the  4yth  i)arallel,  so  as  not  to 
divide  the  sovereijjjnty  o\'  this  island,  then  wiiy  was  it  not  named  as 
the  boundary?  On  the  other  hand,  had  Rosario  strait  been  thoroughly 
known  and  tixed  on  as  the  (ihannel  by  the  negotiants,  it  would  have 
been  in  the  treaty.  Finding  neither  one  nor  the  other  there;  finding 
no  ship  channel  or  lUdin  channel  named  in  the  treaty,  but  finding  four 
channels  leading  north  from  the  Straits  of  Fuca,  and  that  the  only 
channel  named  in  the  treaty  is  that  which  se^jarates  the  continent 
from  this  island,  we  see  no  way  for  a  pacific  adjustment,  exce])t  making 
Washington  channel,  between  Snn  Juan  and  riO])e/.  the  boundary. 
That  we  justly  claim. 


II).   (u')H'i'(d  Hariui/  to  flic  AOjatont  Genci'iil. 

Hi:.\i)QrAUTKK.<  Dkpaut.mk.nt  of  Orkoox, 

Fort  FdHcouirr,  W.  T.,  Ainjmf  2\),  lHr>\\. 

CoLONKii!  I  have  tbe  honor  to  inclose  a  copy  of  .Mr.  Marcy's  dispatch,*" 
referred  to  in  (xovernor  Douglas"  communication  to  me  of  the  13th 
instant,  which  was  received  on  the  night  of  the  27th  instant,  with  a 
note  from  William  A.  ii.  Young,  es(j..  acting  colonial  secretary,  a 
copy  of  the  same  l)eing  also  inclosed. 

My  communication  of  the  24th  instant  had  been  sent  to  (icncrnor 
Douglas  Itefore  Mv.  Y'oung's  note  and  its  indosure  were  received. 
The  instructions  of  tliis  document  from  l\Ir.  Marcy  have  no  bearing 
upon  the  (|uestiou  at  issue  between  the  I'ritish  authorities  of  Van- 
couver's Island  and  myself  at  this  time  ;  and  my  answer  to  Governor 
Douglas  of  the  24th  instant  would  appear  as  it  is,  had  this  copy  of 
M' .  Marcy"s  dis|)atcii  accompanied  tlie  (Governor's  letter  of  the  llJth 
instant. 

The  spirit  of  Mr.  Maicys  in.structions.  when  carried  out  in  good 
faith  by  the  functionaries  and  citizens  of  l)»>th  countries,  I  not  only 
most  heartily  approve.  l»ut  I  am  satisfied  my  conduct  will  stand  the 
most  critical  and  .scaiching  investigation  in  tbe  support  of  that 
approval. 

From  the  time  of  my  assuming  tlie  command  of  this  department 
until  the  occupation  of  San  .hum  island  1  was  most  caieful  neither  to 
increase  nor  change  the  j)osition  of  the  force  on  l*uget"s  Sound,  that 
there  might  be  no  misconceptions  of  my  acts,  on  the  part  of  the  British, 
of  the  good  faith  which  animated  me  in  theo))servance  of  treaty  stipu- 
lations. Time  and  again  our  light-houses  Avere  attacked,  and  tlie  wives 
and  children  of  our  citizens  on  tlMit  coast  were  lirutally  niurdere<l  by 
British  Indians.     Reports  reached  me  that   these   Imlians  had  been 

*Si>o  No.s.  I  ami  '2  of  tlii'sc  |iii|iiTs, 


ISLAND   OF    SAX    JUAN'. 


43 


iii!sti<:;aU'(l  t»>  tlicst'  ju-ts  by  the  Jliidsoiis  Buy  (Company,  in  order  to 
drive  tlieiu  from  the  huuis  which  this  iinineii'-e  establishment  covet  tor 
their  own  purposes.  1  was  well  aware  of  tlie  extent  and  power  of  this 
great  commercial  nionojxdy,  second  only  to  the  East  India  Company 
whicli  has  crushed  i)ut  the  lilierties  and  existence  of  so  many  nations 
in  Asia,  and  committed  barbarities  and  atrocities  for  which  the  annals 
of  crime  have  no  pai  Uel.  I  knew  the  exacting  policy  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  would  not  hesitate  to  ado])t  any  measure  deemed  no.ces- 
.sary  to  insure  their  success,  tor  their  history  had  shown  this,  and  the 
history  of  our  wars  with  England  establish  the  fact  that  an  Indian 
alliance  is  their  first  reijuirement.  With  all  these  truths  before  me,  1 
was  still  reluctant  to  believe  that  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  would 
attemjjt  the  vicdation  of  the  s(demn  obligations  of  a  treaty,  or  that  the 
British  authorities  would  i)ermit  any  action  to  be  taken  hy'tlie  Hudson's 
Bay  Company,  in  case  an  attem]>t  was  desired  by  them.  Judge,  then, 
of  my  astonishment  and  mortificati»»n  in  my  late  visit  to  San  Juan  to 
find  an  unworthy  advantage  had  been  taken  of  my  forbearance  to  out- 
rage our  peojde  in  the  most  insulting  manner. 

For  this  thing  was  not  done  in  a  corner,  ]>ut  in  oi>en  day.  A  British 
shij)-of-war  lands  Mr.  Dallas,  the  chief  factor  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company,  who  abuses  one  of  our  citizens  in  the  harshest  manner,  ami 
threatens  to  take  him  by  force  to  Victoria  foi'  tiial  and  imprisonment. 
Finding  the  citizen  resohite  in  the  defense  of  his  rights,  the  Americans 
were  informed  the  Ihitish  Indians  would  be  sent  down  uj>on  them  to 
drive  them  from  the  island.  I  shall  substantiate  these  facts  by  the 
affidavits  of  American  citizens  of  such  i)osition  and  character  as  cannot 
leave  a  doubt  of  their  truth,  and  showing  the  attemi»ted  denial  of 
(lovernor  Douglas  in  his  t-ommunication  of  the  liJth  instant  is  only  a 
(luibble.  These  affidavits  would  have  been  sent  before  this,  Init  the 
(listurbances  at  San  Juan  and  the  difficulty  of  communication  in  this 
country  have  delayed  theii'  completion. 

It  is  ])roper  als(»  that  I  should  inform  ytiu  tlmt  Captain  Alden,  of 
(»ur  navy,  commanding  surveying  steamer  Active,  has  reported  to  me 
a  conversation  which  he  held  with  (rovernoi  Douglas  sijice  the  occu- 
pation of  San  duan,  in  which  conversation  (iovernor  Douglas  statetl 
that,  in  the  event  of  a  collision  between  the  forces  of  the  two  countries 
ho  would  not  be  able  to  [>revent  the  ncu'thern  Indians  from  driving  our 
people  from  the  island.  This  intimation  from  (Governor  Douglas  is 
significant,  as  indicating  the  concei)tion  of  such  an  action  originated 
before  tlie  occupation  of  the  island,  and  was  the  foundation  of  the 
reports  of  our  ])eople  thn  ughout  the  winter,  that  I  did  not  consider  at 
the  time  of  sufficient  importance  as  to  notice  in  my  official  reports. 
From  all  the  events  which  have  occurred  before  and  since  the  occupa- 
tio»^  of  San  »Juan  island,  I  am  convinced  the  British  government  have 
instituted  a  series  of  acts  aiming  at  the  eventual  sovereignty  of  San 
Juan  island,  in  conse(iuence  of  its  paramount  importance  as  a  military 
and  naval  station.  Its  ])osition,  in  connection  with  the  islands  adja- 
cent to  it,  has  induced  the  English  to  call  it  the  Cronstadt  of  the 
Pacific,  and  with  good  reason,  for  the  power  that  possesses  it  will  com- 
mand a  su})rennicy  on  this  coast. 

In  the  occupation  of  San  Juan  J  have  assumed  a  defensive  position 
against   the   encroachments  of  the    British,   either   by   authority  or 


44 


ISLAND    OF    SAX    .IIJAN. 


tlir()U<;li  the  niodlum  nl"  tlicir  Iiidiiins,  upon  tlu'  ri<^lits,  lives,  and 
property  of  our  citizens.  I  was  influenced  l>y  no  other  motive  in 
placing!;  troops  upon  the  island. 

In  the  matter  of  ownershiit.  1  have  careiully  investigated  the  treaty 
of  184r>,  defining;-  the  houndary  l)et\veen  (jtreat  Britain  and  the  United 
States,  and  I  have  also  ])ersonally  (Examined  tlie  ]»reniises  in  <[uestion 
under  the  fairest  auspices,  an.d  1  fearlessly  assert  a  stronger  title  cannot 
exist  than  that  which  the  treaty  of  lH4t»  estahlishes  for  the  United 
States  in  San  Juan,  nor  do  I  helieve  the  liritish  would  have  ever 
attempted  the  hazan.ous  <;ame  they  are  now  playing,  but  for  the  im- 
mense prize  at  stake. 

1  am,  colonel,  verv  respectfullv.  vonr  obedient  servant, 

WM.  S.   HARNEY. 
lirhiadier  (lencra/,  ('ommatufxruj. 

('olonel  S.  Cooi'KK, 

Adjutant  (rcucrnf,  Wdf^hiwjtim  Cifif,  I).  C 


14.   General  Harneij  to  (iener<d  IScotf. 

Headquarters  Department  of  Oregon, 

Fort  Vancouver,  JV.  T.,  August  80,  1859. 

Sir  :  1  have  the  honor  to  inclose,  for  the  information  of  the  general- 
in-chief,  copies  of  two  reports  from  Lieutenant  C'olonel  Casey,  9th 
infantry,  commaudincr  on  San  Juan  island. 

These  reports  convoy  all  the  intelligence  received  from  San  Juan 
since  my  report  to  you  of  the  18tli  instant. 

The  number  of  trooj)8  forming  (Vdonel  Casey's  command  at  this 
time  is  as  follows  : 

<\)mpanies  A  and  C,  4th  infantry,  and  "H  "  of  the  9th J39 

Companies  A,  K,  I),  and  M,  of  3d  artillery 181 

Company  D,  9tli  infantry fi6 

Company  "J,"  4th  infantry 64 

Detachment  <»f  I'ompany  "'A,"  engineers 11 

Aggregate 461 


Besides  this  force.  Colonel  Ca^ey  has  Avith  him  eight  32-pounderR, 
which  I  ordered  to  l>o  taken  frt)m  the  steamer  Massachusetts. 

The  ammunition  for  these  guns  consists  of  nmnd  shot — grape  and 
cnnister.  Cajitain  Pickett's  company  took  with  them  to  the  island 
one  6-pounder  and  two  mountain  howitzers,  and  Colonel  Casey's  com- 
mand from  Steilacoom  increased  that  number  by  three  inountain 
howitzers. 

This  command  is  busily  engaged  jilacing  its  position  under  entrench- 
ment, and  has  been  amply  sui)plied  with  everything  necessary  and 
requisite  to  maintain  itself  for  nearly  three  months.  From  the  con- 
formation of  the  island,  and  the  ])osition  occupied  by  the  troojjs,  the 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    JUAN, 


45 


Kiil^lish  ships  niiiltl  n..t  iviiiaiii  in  tlie  luirhor  midcr  a  Hrc  iVoin  the 
:>2-jK)iiii(U'is,  hut  woiihl  hi'  c'(»iii[)(.'lh'il  to  tiikt'  distuiicv  in  the  sound, 
tVoni  wlience  they  eoiihl  only  iiniioy  us  hy  shells,  which  would  he 
tritlin<;-.  The  Kn>;-lisli  have  no  force  that  they  could  land  whicli 
would  lie  ahle  to  dislod.ye  Colonel  Casey's  conimand  as  now  posted. 

There  is  a  rumor  current  that  Hear"  Admiral  IJaynes  has  counter- 
manded  (iovernor    Dout-ias"  orders  to  attempt  a  lau(lin^M)u  San  Juan 
by  force:   nothinj;-  otticial  on  the  suliject  has  reached  me. 
I  am.  sir.  verv  respectfullv,  vour  obedient  servant, 

WM.  S.   IIAIINFA'. 
/I)'ii/(i(fi(')'  (k'ncriif,  (\»initmii/)'tnf. 

A.'^lSTANT  Ad.U  TANT  (JkNEHAI,. 

Ilcfulqiinrtvrs  <;/' f/tc  ^tfliiif,  Xcir   Vurk  ('lf>/. 


\4o.. 

Heauquauti:rs  Gamp  PicKim', 
Situ  Juan  Island,  W.  T.,  AuguHt  22,  1859. 

Uai'Taix  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  1  received  by  the  ''Active." 
Captain  Alden,  the  general's  instructions  of  the  15th  of  August. 

After  a  ])ersonal  examination  of  the  ground  within  a  few  miles  of 
the  harb<»r,  1  have  taken  up  a  position  for  a  camp,  which  I  think,  above 
all  others,  will  fidfill  many  of  the  conditions  which  1  wished  to  obtain. 
The  subject  presented  many  difficulties. 

Were  it  merely  to  .select  a  position  for  an  intrenched  camp  where  I 
would  he  able  with  my  present  force  hut  to  sustain  myself  against  a 
land  attack  of  an  enemy,  and  where,  at  the  same  time,  I  would  be 
secure  from  the  shells  of  the  ships-ot-war,  the  question  is  solved. 

About  three  and  a  half  miles  from  the  harl)or  1  have  tliscovered  a 
very  good  position  for  an  intrenched  camp,  secure  from  the  shells  of 
ships-of-war.  Hut  in  order  to  keep  the  position  to  which  I  have 
just  refered,  the  f(dlowing  alternatives  would  present  themselves  :  I 
would  either  be  obliged  to  give  up  my  present  guard  at  the  landing, 
my  position  tor  the  i>2-pounders  which  bear  upon  and  my  oversight 
of  the  harbor,  or  render  the  troops  whom  I  might  maintain  at  these 
positituis  almost  certain  to  be  cut  off,  in  case  of  a  serious  land  attack, 
!)efore  they  could  reach  the  intrenched  camp  nearly  four  miles  otf. 

In  view  of  all  these  circumstances,  I  have  taken  up  a  position  near 
the  Hudson's  Bay  establishment,  and  shall  put  my  heavy  guns  in 
{>osition  to  bear  upon  the  hurbcv,  and  also  on  vessels  which  might  take 
a  position  on  the  other  side.  Shells  from  the  shipping  may  be  able  to 
reach  us,  and  we  may  not  he  able  to  protect  the  camp  from  them ;  but 
I  shall  try. 

The  British  authorities  a{)pear  to  be  very  sensitive  with  regard  to 
anything  like  fortifying  on  the  island.  Owing  to  the  })cculiar  circum- 
stances of  the  case,  we  have  none  of  the  advantages  which  a  case  of 
actual  war  would  confer,  as  regards  keeping  any  action  secret  from 
the  enemy. 

Our  every  maneuver  is  closely  observed,  and  I  have  considered  it 
best  to  act  with  circumspection  lest  a  conflict  should  be  forced  upon  us 
prematurely. 


46 


ISLAND    iW    SAN    JTAN. 


Tlie  }j;onoriil  iiiay  mst  sutisHod  tluit   I   sliull  <;ive  tlio  whole  matter 
my  best  al)ilities,  and  I  trust  ('vt'ryt]iin<;-  -will  come  out  rij^lit. 
Verv  rt'siioctt'ullv,  vour  ohodii'iit  servant, 

^    ■  SILAS  CASEY, 

Liciifi'naiif  CoUdicI  \^tli  Infant rij,  ('onim((n<(!n</  (kimp. 
Captain  Alfukj)  Plrasoxtox,  //.  S.  yi., 

Acibuj  Afi-st.  A<ljt.  d'cn..  Jhpf.  ofOnujon,  Fort  Vanconcer,  W.  T. 


\\b. 

HfiADUUAUTKRS    CaM1>    I'lCKKTT, 

Hm  Juan  Island,  IV.  T.,  Amjmt  22,  185'). 
Captain:  1  have  tlie  honor  to  rejtort  tliat  I  received  hy  the  "North- 
erner" the  general's  instruetions  of  the  17th  and  I'.Hh  instant. 

The  "Massachusetts"  arrived  on  the  night  of  the  21st,  and  she  is 
now  unloading  the  government  ])roj)erty  from  Fort  Townsend.  I  Avill 
cause  the  freight  of  the  "  Northerner"  to  he  placed  on  her,  as  directed. 
I  had  ordered  Major  Hallcr  on  shore  with  his  company  before  receiv- 
ing the  general's  instructions  so  to  do.  It  was  not  my  intention  to 
place  another  company  on  at  present.  Wlien  I  do,  1  shall  be  happy 
to  offer  the  position  to  Captain  Pickett,  as  1  am  as  fully  im])ressed  as 
the  general  with  the  gallant  liehavior  dis])layed  by  him  during  the 
late  difficulties  on  the  island. 

I  have  placed  Lieutenant  Kellogg,  with  his  com])any,  on  duty  in 
charge  of  all  the  artillery.     That  leaves,  including  Major  Mailer's, 
eight  companies,  which  I  liave  formed  into  an  infantry  battalion,  and 
shall  endeavor  to  luiv^e  them  efficiently  exercised  in  drill. 
Very  respectfullv,  vour  obedient  servant, 

'    '  SILAS  CASEY, 

Licvfoiant  (^olond  \)th  Infantry,  Ctnntaandinci  Cantp. 

Captain  Alfred  Pleasonton, 

Acting  Anst.  Adjutant  General  United  States  Army, 

Department  of  Oregon,  Fort  Vancouver,  W.  T. 


15.  General  Harney  to  Colonel  Casey. 

Headquarters  Department  of  Oreuon, 

Fort  Vancouver,  W.  T.,  September  2,  1859. 

Colonel:  The  general  cimimanding  instructs  me  to  inclose,  for  your 
information,  a  copy  of  a  communication  he  addressed  to  Governor 
Douglas,  under  date  of  the  24th  of  August,  in  answer  to  the  gov- 
ernor's letter  to  himself  of  the  13th  of  that  month,  which  you  have 
doubtless  seen,  it  having  a})peared  in  the  Victoria  jiapers. 

From  the  tenor  of  this  answer  you  will  perceive  it  is  not  the  inten- 


ISLAXI)    OF   SAN    JUAN. 


47 


tion  (»t'  tlie  gcneml  comniaiuling-  to  irniove  any  portion  of  the  present 
force  on  San  Jnan  island  from  tliat  position  iintil  the  orders  of  the 
President  are  coninmnieated  on  tlie  sniyeet. 

You  are  therefore  instructed  to  make  sucli  |)reparatious  for  tlie  com- 
fort, efficiency,  and  health  of  your  command  as  Avill  anticipate  a  period 
of  at  least  six  months, 

I  am,  colonel,  verv  resi»ectfullv,  your  olxnlient  servant. 

A.   PLEASONTOX, 
('aptolii  2d  Draijoonfi.  A.  A.  AOjyfant  General. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  S.  Casky, 

Ninth  Irifunfry,  Commandlmj  Canq)  J'irkeff, 

San  Juan  Maud,  Fnget's  Suimd, 


\ 


ITt.   General  Harney  to  General  Scott. 


Headquartkhs  Dki>artmhxt  of  OHi;(i<iN-, 

Fort  Faneoiiver.  IF  2\,  SejAeiulnr  14,  J 851). 

Sir:  I  have  the  lionor  to  inclose,  for  the  information  of  the  ^eneral- 
in-chief,  cojties  of  two  affidavits  verifying  the  accusation  of  attempted 
outrage  upon  one  of  our  citizens  on  San  Juan  island,  which  was  charged 
to  the  British  authorities  and  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  of  Vancou- 
ver's Ishmd  in  mv  communication  to  (lovernor  Douglas  of  the  (Jth 
of  August. 

The  affidavit  of  Lyman  A.  Cutler,  the  ])erson  upon  whom  the  out- 
rage was  attempted  of  heing  taken  hy  foi'ce  to  Victoria  for  trial  hy 
British  hiws,  fully  and  completely  refutes  the  denial  of  Cxovernor 
Douglas,  transmitted  in  his  comnuuiication  of  the  liUh  of  August,  a 
copy  of  which  has  been  sent  to  you. 

The  want  of  propriety  and  good  faith  on  the  part  of  the  British 
officials  is  so  apparent,  in  the  course  pursued  hy  them  towards  our- 
selves in  the  matter  of  San  Juan  island,  as  to  liave  forced  Governor 
Douglas  into  a  flimsy  evasion  of  the  facts  which  so  strongly  condemn 
them,  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  (lovernor  Douglas  should  attempt 
to  throw  discredit  upon  my  action  in  the  occupation  of  San  Juan  after 
heing  compromised  by  conduct  he  dares  not  acknowledge. 

Governor  Douglas  sjjcaks  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  establish- 
ment as  one  of  no  iUgnificance  or  resj)onsibility,  and  that  its  acts  are 
no  more  to  oe  confcidered  than  those  of  any  other  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Vancouver's  Island.  In  the  face  of  such  a  statement  I  consider  it 
my  duty  to  inform  the  general-in-chief  that  this  insignificant  company 
has  a  positive  military  organization,  with  a  discipline  exceeding  in 
rigor  that  of  our  own  service.  Tlie  forts  of  this  company  on  this  coast 
are  armed  with  guns  of  much  heavier  caliber  than  any  we  possess,  and 
in  its  service  are  steaTuers  that  can  readily  be  api)lied  to  war  purposes. 
The  authorities  of  this  company  have  boldly  claimed  the  exclusive 


48 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    .IIAN. 


owiKTsliip  (»t'  Siiii  .Iiuiii  isliii.ul,  Wiuniii«;'  the  I'nitiMl  States  officer, 
rapttiiii  rickott,  iVoin  the  isliuid,  and  tlireateiiiii<r  liiin,  at  the  same 
time,  witli  the  civil  authorities  if  lie  did  not  obey.  This  was  reported 
in  my  communicati.ai  of  the  7th  of  Au<,Mist  to  the  Adjutant  Ueneral, 
and  accomi)anyin^'  re|MMts  of  Captain  Pickett,  c(»i)ies  of  which  have 
been  furnished  your  ullice.  This  is  tlie  establishment  whose  acts 
Uuvernor  Douglas  calls  upDii  us  to  ignore,  but  which  he  carefully 
supports  in  its  aj''<;ressinns  by  both  the  civil  and  naval  forces  under 
his  ordeis. 

I  trust  the  British  ji-oveiiiment  will  see  how  useless  it  will  be  for 
them  to  attempt  to  maintain  acourseof  coixluct  that  exposes  them  to  the 
reflection  n\'  havinj;  used  unworthy  means  to  obtain  that  to  which  they 
have  no  claim,  and  showin*^  tin'  Hudson's  Jiay  Company  to  be  a  willing 
cat  for  extractinu;  the  chestnuts  from  the  tire. 

I  am,  sir,  verv  respectfuUv,  vour  obedient  servant. 

■  W.  S.  HARNEV. 

Bn'ffddirr  Gene  ml,  (k»iu)iamivif/. 

As^^LSTAXT  Ad.IUTANT  (fK.NKKAF,. 

Hefiffqiiorhrs  of  the  ^Irnnj,  AV/r  Yorh  ('if>/. 


16  a. 


WAsniN(}TON  Teuuitoky.  Whatvoiit  Counhf: 

On  this  7th  day  of  tSe))tember,  A.  D.  185'.),  appeared  before  the 
undersigned,  a  notary  [)ublic  in  and  for  said  county,  Paul  K.  Hubbs. 
jr.,  who,  being  duly  sworn,  on  his  oath  deposes  and  says:  That  he  had 
an  interview  with  Cxcneral  Harney  while  on  his  visit  to  this  island, 
and  stated  tt)  the  general  that  there  had  been  some  trouble  between 
one  of  the  American  settlers  and  some  of  the  officers  of  the  Hudsons 
Bay  Company.  Up(»n  being  asked  by  the  general  the  cause  of  the 
trouble,  he  said  that  a  short  time  since  Mr.  Cutler,  one  of  our  citizens, 
had  shot  a  hog  belonging  to  the  said  company,  and  immediatel}  went 
to  Mr.  Griffin,  the  superintendent,  and  offered  to  pay  for  the  hog. 
Mr.  Griffin  became  enraged,  and  dechired  that  the  Americans  were  a 
j)ack  of  intruders,  and  said  that  he  was  a  fool  for  over  allowing  a 
United  States  inspector  of  customs  to  come  on  the  island.  In  the 
afternoon  of  the  same  day  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's  steamer 
Beaver  arrived  from  Victoria,  with  Mr.  Dallas,  a  director  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company,  Dr.  Solmie,  a  chief  factor,  and  some  other  })arties, 
who,  after  hohling  an  inteiview  with  Mr.  Griffin,  called  on  Mr.  Cutler, 
and  used  some  very  threatening  language,  and,  among  other  words,  they 
said  that  they  had  a  i)osse  on  board,  and  would  take  hira  a  prisoner  and 
carrv  him  to  Victoria  for  trial. 

PAUL  K.  HUBBS,  Jr. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  before  me  this  7th  day  of  September,  1859. 
u    s  -1  HENRY  R.  CROSBIE, 

^  '    ■■'  Notary  Public. 


hog. 


[ii  the 

earner 
Hud- 

arties, 
utler, 
,  they 

cr  and 


ISLAM)    (»K    SAN    JIAN. 


h;  a. 


49 


Tkhkitoky  (IK  \Vashin<;to.\,  ('nimh/  i>i'  Wliuh'uii, : 

Lyman  A.  Cntlcr,  hcin^  dnly  sworn,  dcjiuscs  and  .says:  That  lie  ha.'' 
l)een  a  resident  of  San  Jnan  island  sincf  last  A|MiI,  at  wliicli  time  he 
h>cated  one  hnndred  ami  sixty  acres  i»t'  hind,  aj^reealdy  td  tlic  |»reen)p- 
tion  law,  and  u])on  whieh  land  he  has  ever  since  resided. 

That  on  or  abont  the  loth  of  last  dniie  he  shot  a  ho;^  l»elon^;in<i-  to 
the  Undson's  Bay  Conijiany;  that  imnuMliiitcly  alter  so  doinj;  lie  pro- 
iHHMled  to  the  house  of  the  a<^ent  of  the  fludson's  I'ay  Cenipatiy  on  the 
island.  Mi-,  (irittiii,  and  informed  him  of  the  fact.  statiii;.c  that  it  was 
done  in  a  moment  of  irritation,  the  animal  having-  heen  at  several 
times  a  great  annoyance,  and  that  morning  destntyed  a  p(»rtion  of  his 
garden  ;  he  desired  to  replace  it  by  another,  or  they  could  select  three 
men,  and  whatever  valuation  they  might  phice  on  the  iinimal  lu'  would 
at  once  ]>ay.  Mr.  (rritfin,  very  much  eniaged,  saiil  the  (»nly  way  it 
eould  he  settled  would  he  by  him  (Cutler)  paying  (»nc  hundreil  dollars. 
lie  replied  he  was  astonished  both  at  ]\lr.  (iriffiiis  conduct  and  his 
proposal,  and  h^ft  him.  The  same  afternoon  Mr.  (Jrillin,  in  company 
with  three  other  jiersons,  came  to  hi.s  house.  }Ie  afterwards  learned 
they  were  l\Ir.  Dallas,  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Hudson's  Day  Com- 
pany, l-)r,  Solmie,  a  chief  factor,  and  a  ^Ir.  Fraser.  Mr.  Dallas  asked 
liim  if  he  was  the  man  that  killed  the  hog  :  he  answered,  yes.  Mr. 
Dallas  then,  in  a  very  supercilious  manner,  asked  him  how  he  dared 
do  it.  He  repliiMl  that  was  not  the  proper  way  of  talking  to  him;  that 
he  dared  do  whatever  he  thought  was  justilhible,  and  he  had  no  cause 
to  blame  himself  in  the  matter;  as  soon  as  he  had  killed  the  animal 
he  went  to  Mr.  (rritKii  and  offered  to  make  him  a  jiroper  reparation — 
that  he  was  ready  to  do  it  then  ;  had  he  have  cho.sen  to  have  acted 
otherwise,  h(>  could  have  said  nothing  about  it,  and  Mr.  (Jlriftin  would 
have  nev((r  known  his  loss  ;  tli(>  animal  was  so  worthless  he  would 
never  have  troubled  himself  about  it.  Mr.  Dallas,  in  reply,  stated 
this  was  British  soil,  and  if  he,  (Sutler,  did  not  make  the  reparation 
denumded — one  bundriid  dollars — he  would  take  him  to  Victoria  ; 
their  steamer  (the  Hudson's  Bay  Comjiany's  steamer  Beaver)  w-as  in 
port,  ami  they  had  a  posse  at  their  command.  He  answered,  Mr. 
Dallas  must  be  either  crazy  or  deem  him  so,  to  pay  one  hundred 
dollars  for  an  animal  that  was  not  \vorth  ten ;  and  as  for  taking  him 
to  Victoria  for  trial,  that  (;ould  not  be  done  ;  when  they  brought  their 
posse  he  would  have  his  friends  to  resist  them;  this  was  American 
soil  and  not  English  ;  and  whilst  he  wis  willing  to  answer  before  any 
American  tribunal  for  what  he  had  done,  no  English  ])osse  or  authority 
should  take  him  befor(^  an  English  tribunal.  Mr.  Eraser  commenced 
speaking  about  its  being  British  soil,  &c.;  he  (Cutler)  declined,  how- 
ever, having  any  conversation  with  him  on  the  matter:  he  had  said  all 
he  had  to  say  about  it.  ])r.  Solmie  said  nothing.  Mr.  (hitHn  simply 
asked  him  if  he  ever  knew  him  (Griffin)  to  disturb  any  of  the  s«'ttlers« 
or  insult  them?  he  answered,  never  before  that  morning. 

Ex.  Doc.  10 4 


\ 


50 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    JUAN. 


As  tlicy  idde  of}"  oiio  of  tlic  party  ivinailved,  •'Vou  will  liuvc  to 
answer  for  tliis  hereafter, "  or  woids  to  that  imrport. 

Their  manner  and  hmj^ua^e  were  ])iith  insnltin*;  and  tlireatenin*;. 

Afterwards,  on  tlie"27thof  Jnne,  the  inornin;i;('a|>tain  Piekett  hmded, 
the  IJritish  steam  fri<;ate  Satellite  arrived  and  landed  ^[r.  DeC^onrey,  who 
was  installed  as  British  ma^istiate  for  the  island  of  San  Jnan,  as  ('aj)tain 
Prevost  puhliely  stated ;  at  the  time  he  leit  Vietoria  nothing  was  known 
of  the  landing  of  the  Ameriean  troops  ;  it  seemed  evident  that  the 
magistrate  came  over  K>r  the  i)nipose  of  ap[>rehending  him,  ((^utler  ;) 
that  he  understood  process  was  issued  l>y  the  said  Ue  Conrcy  to  com))el 
his  atteadance  to  answer  to  his  charge  ;  that  Captain  (Jonhtn,  the 
J]nglish  constahle,  with  a  posse,  came  to  his  house  during  his  a))sence, 
on  or  ahout  the  '2\it\i  or  30th  of  July  ;  word  was  sent  to  him  hy  Mr. 
Croshie,  the  American  magistiate,  to  come  in  and  place  himself  under 
the  protection  of  Captain  Pickett ;  that  he  came,  staid  one  day,  and 
returned  the  next.  Captain  Pickett  having  informed  him  if  they 
attempted  in  any  way  to  interfere  with  him  to  send  him  word,  and  he 
should  he  i)rotected  at  all  hazards.  He  is  convinced  that  if  troops  had 
not  hecn  on  the  island  he  would  have  heen  taken  hy  force  and  carried 
hefore  an  Phiglish  magistrate;  his  reason  for  this  helief  is  hased  on  the 
fact  that  the  English  force  on  Iward  the  steam  frigates  Satellite  and 
Tribune  had  orders  to  obey  any  requisition  that  Mr.  DeCourcy  should 
make  on  them. 

hVMAN  A.  caTTLKPv. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  l>efore  me  this  7th  of  Se])tember,  185U. 

HENRY  P.  CROSBIE, 


[L.    S.] 


Nofarij  Pnhlic. 


Pout  Towx.sknd, 
Wasthington  Tvi-riiorij,  Sopfemher  '.>,  IS,')!). 

Esteemed  Sir:  I  hnd  that  we  have  some  disajtpointed  or  annoyed 
gentlemen  (by  the  recent  movement  of  General  Harney)  that  are  puff- 
ing the  letter  of  (Tovernor  Douglas  in  rejdy  to  that  of  (Jeneral 
Harney. 

The  general,  it  seems,  did  not  say  in  his  letter  anything  relative  to 
the  inroads  and  murders  conunitted  by  the  northern  Indians,  but  con- 
fined himself  to  the  immediate  subject  of  grief,  that  of  threatened 
taking  of  an  American  citizen  to  Victoria  for  trial. 

How  beautifully  the  governor  in  his  reply  "finesses"  out  of.  In 
substance,  he  says  that  "  the  govvrnment  did  not  threaten,'  tSrc.all  of 
wdiich  is  true  theoretically:  but  ])ractically,  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany, with  half  a  dozen  armed  steamers,  the  government  governor 
being  the  head  of  the  company,  and  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Dallas,  the 
chief  director  and  the  power  that  practically  moves  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company  and  the  governor,  did  land  and  go  to  ''  the  man  that  shot 
the  boar,"  and  threaten  to  take  him  on  board  their  steamer  (not  the 
government  steamer,  but  that  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com})any)  to  Vic- 


ISLAN'I)    OK    SAN    JUAN. 


toriii;  iiiid  liii(lin«;-  they  (five  ot'tliom)  could  not  do  it,  left  with  ii  tliieiit 
to  send  the  "  riuiiiper,"  a  Puitish  ^•oveniiiu'iit  tribute  for  him.  jiiid, 
IS  1  am  lelijibly  informed,  did   afterwards  put  tlu'  maj^istrate  on  the 

:hed    h 


island,  wlio  sent  tliree  times  after  liim,  every  time  Item};  watched  hy 
our  ]K'aee  officers  and  posse  with  reliance  on  our  government  olHcers 
and  men. 

Very  truly  vours,  S:c., 

VAV\.  K.  limits. 

I  am  not  personally  acciuainted  with  General  Harney,  hut  his  timely 
aid  and  positon  taken  meets  the  unl)ounded  admiration  of  the  citi/ens 
of  this  Territory. 

P.  K.  H. 

His  excellency  the  President,  Jamiw  IUciianan. 


k 


17.    (rovenior  GhoJ-SiHi  to  (U'liend  Harney. 

EXECCTIVK   Ol-'FICK, 

Objmpin,  IV.  T.,  Aiujmt  21,  ISf)!). 

(Sir:  In  view  of  the  excited  state  of  a  ])o'tion  of  tie  people  (Gov.  1). 
included)  on  Vancouver's  Island,  &c.,  1  iiuve  thought  that  a  judicious 
regard  for  the  welfare  of  this  Territory  and  the  success  of  our  arms, 
(sliould  a  collision  occur,)  perliaj)s,  made  it  my  duty  to  inform  you 
that  we  have  about  (1,000)  one  tlumsand  of  small  arms,  (H50)  eight 
hundred  and  fifty  muskets,  (ordinary,)  and  (150)  one  hundred  and 
fifty  muskets,  (rifled,)  and  (4)  lour  twelve-pound  mountain  howitzers, 
and  that  for  none  of  these  have  we  a  shot,  shell,  or  cartridge. 

Permit  me  to  say,  general,  that  as  Ave  shall  he  wholly  dei)endent 
upon  your  orders  for  a  supply,  (if  I  correctly  understand  the  regula- 
tions of  the  War  Department,)  I  shall  he  ])leased  (either  now  or  at 
such  time  as  your  discretion  may  direct)  to  receive  whatever  su])plic.s 
you  may  think  proper  to  order  to  this  j)lace. 

I  have  the  honor  to  he,  general,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

K.  D.  GHOLSON, 
Governor  of  Washimjton  Territory. 

Brig.  Gen.  W.  S.  Harney. 

Headquarters  Department  of  Oregon. 


[Endorsement.] 

Headquarters  Department  op  OREaoN, 
Fort  Vancouver,  IV.  T.,  September  19,  1850. 
Respectfully  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the  general-in-chief, 
who  is  notified  that  eighty-five  thousand  rounds  of  ordinary  musket 


w 


52 


ISLAND    CV   SAN    JUAN. 


ammunition,  Ht'teon  tliDiLsand  ofrifled-nn'.skct,  juicl  two  thousand  rounds 
of  mountain  howitzer  ammunition  has  been  phicedat  Fort  Steihicoom, 
subject  to  the  requisition  of  Cxovernor  (rliolson,  in  case  of  an  emcr- 
gency. 

W.  S.  HARNEY, 
Jirigadicr  General,  Comtnondimj. 


1  w 


(rtnerol  Harucy  fn  J/r.  Floifi/. 


HkADQI  .\RTI;H.-i  DllPARTiMKNT  OF  OllKOON, 

F,ni  Vanconirr,    IV.  7'.,  Oc/oher  10,  1851). 

Sir:  I  luive  the  honor  to  aeknowk'(l<.5e  the  receipt  of  your  communi- 
cation of  tlie  ijd  of  Septemlter  hist,  transmitting;'  the  views  of  the 
President  of  the  Uniteil  States  in  reference  to  the  military  occupation 
of  San  Juan  or  J»ellevue  ishmd,  as  rejioited  in  my  dis[)ateh  of  the  19th 
of  July  last,  addressed  to  the  <;eneral-in-chief. 

Since  the  date  of  that  dis].''\;h  other  events  have  transpired,  which 
are  conclusive  in  showin<;'  the  intentions  of  the  colonial  authorities  of 
Great  Britain  were  directed  towards  assuminjjj  a  positive  jurisdiction 
over  the  island  of  San  Juan.  These*  occurrences  have  all  been  re])orted 
in  a  regular  course  of  correspondence  to  tiie  general-in-chief,  du))licates 
luivinji;  been  transmitted  to  the  adjutant  ji,eneral. 

The  President  expresses  an  anxiety  to  ascertain  whether,  before  pro- 
ceeding; to  act,  1  conununicated  with  (^)mmissioner  Campbell,  who 
was  intrusted  by  tho  goveriiinent  of  tin;  United  States,  in  conjunction 
with  the  British  commissioner,  to  decide  the  boundary  question.  In 
reply,  1  desire  to  inform  his  excellency  the  President  that  no  official 
comnumication  had  passed  between  (commissioner  Campbell  and  myself, 
in  referetice  to  the  bouu(hiry,  previous  to  the  occupation  of  San  Juan 
island  by  Captain  Pickett's  company,  for  the  reason  that  no  exi<i;ency 
had  arisen  re(juirin<jj  it.  In  the  personal  interviews  1  have  had  with 
Conunissioner  Campl)ell  since  my  arrival  on  this  coast,  he  has  always 
assur'Ml  me  that  there  couhl  be  but  one  sidution  of  the  boundary  ques- 
tion und(;r  the  trevity  of  June  15,  184(5,  and  that  was  to  he  obtained 
by  '  dcintif  the  mi(l-chann(d  of  th(^  '•  Canal  de  Haro,"  or  Straits  of  Haro, 
as  the  boundary  line  between  the  United  States  and  (Ireat  Britain. 
He  has  several  times  stated  that  a  strict  construction  of  the  treaty  will 
not  o:>ly  <;ive  us  the  Haro  <2;roup  of  islands,  oi'  which  San.  Juan  is  the 
most  im])()rtant,  but  also  the  Saturnc  island,  which  is  yet  nearer  to 
Vancouver.  This  island,  he  said,  he  was  williu<;'  to  jjjive  to  (Ireat 
Britain,  under  a  liberal  and  <i;enerous  construction  of  th.e  treaty. 

In  each  of  thes(i  interviews  (Commissioner  (^ampbell  has  deph)red  the 
course  p'.irsued  by  the  British  government  in  tlic  opposition  they  made 
to  the  settlements  of  this  (question,  and  the  delays  coiTtinually  seized 
upon  by  the  British  comm'ssioner  to  ))revent  coming  to  an  early  de- 
cision.    (\)mmissioner  (-ampbell  a[»iH'ared  to  be  earn;^stly  impressed 


ffl 


ISLAND    OF   SAN    JUAN. 


53 


with  the  eouvictiou  that  the  British  <^(>vi'nimeiit  iiitfiKk'd  to  keep  this 
r.n  open  <i[Viestion  until  some  iutme  time,  when  they  couhl  adviuiee 
their  chiims  to  hetter  {idvanta^e,  as  tiiev  had  no  fonndation  in  jnstiee 
or  riglit.  I  saw  Commissioner  Camphell  for  tlie  last  time,  at  ISemiah- 
moo,  on  the  7th  day  of  July  last ;  at  that  date  neither  he  nor  myself 
had  any  knowledj^e  to  induce  us  to  helieve  the  colonial  authorities  of 
Great  Britain  had  attempted  to  assume  jurisdiction  over  San  Juan. 
When  Captain  Pickett's  company  arrived  at  Han  Juan,  it  apj)ears  Com- 
missioner Cam])hell  was  making;  an  exploration  of  the  islands  in  the 
Haro  group,  and  visited  San  Juuii  the  day  Captain  Pickett  landed ;  he 
rendered  the  captain  every  assistance,  and  apjiroved  the  course  that  had 
been  pursued.  Captain  Pickett  landed  on  the  27th  of  July,  and  C'om- 
missioner  Cam])hell  remained  in  that  vicinity  until  the  Ifith  of  August, 
when  I  received  a  ])rivate  communication  from  him,  a  co])y  of  which 
is  inclosed.  I  immediately  answx'red  it  officially,  giving  him  my 
reasons  in  full  for  occupying  San  Juan,  this  w^iuld  have  been  done  at 
the  time  Captain  Pickett's  order  was  issued,  hut  I  did  not  know  his 
whereabouts  until  I  received  his  conununication.  A  copy  of  this 
answer  to  the  commissioner  is  also  inclosed,  and  a  co])y  of  his  reply 
dated  the  30th  of  August. 

1  would  respectfully  call  the  attention  of  the  President  to  the  unqual- 
ified denial  of  (.rovernor  Douglas,  in  his  disprtch  of  the  13th  of  August, 
that  any  attem])t  had  ever  been  made  to  arrest  an  American  citizen 
and  convey  him  to  Victoria  to  be  tried  by  British  laws.  At  the  very 
moment  this  denial  was  being  jienned,  three  British  ships-of-war 
were  in  that  harbor,  by  the  orders  of  (Tovernor  Douglas,  to  support 
a  Britis!  stipendiary  magistrate  sent  by  Douglas  to  arrest  the 
same  American  citizen,  (Cutler,)  of  San  Juan,  who  wouhl  have  been 
arrested  but  for  the  positive  interference  of  Captain  Pickett;  indeed, 
so  pressing  and  urgent  were  the  British  to  possess  tiieniselvcs  of  Cut- 
ler, that  Captain  Pickett  did  not  hesitate  to  n'port  iiis  capture  could 
only  be  averted  by  occui)ying  the  island  in  force. 

Such  are  the  facts  of  tiiiscase,  in  which  the  British  government  fur- 
nished five  ships-of-war,  carrying  one  hundred  and  si.xty-seven  guns,and^ 
from  two  to  three  tiiousand  men,  to  an  uiiscru])ulous  ctdonial  governor 
for  the  purjiose  of  wresting  from  us  an  island  that  they  covet.  Such 
punic  faith  should  never  be  toleratetl.  however  plausilde  the  pretext 
upon  which  it  may  be  founded. 

I  am,  sir.  verv  res])ectfullv,  V(»ur  olxHlient  servant, 

'    ^  WM.  S.  HARNEY, 

Jirifiai/ier  O'citernl.,  (hmmandituj. 

Hon.  SKCRin'ARi  of  War, 

Wmhimjioii  City,  I).  i\ 


I. 


ed  the 

made 

seized 

ly  de- 

iresaed 


18  «. 

Steamer  Siiubrick, 
San  'luan  Harbor^  Awjutit  14,  185l> 
My  Dear  General  :  Captain  Aldcn  is  about  to  leave  the  harbor  for 
Fort  Vancouver,  with  dispatches  from  Colonel  Casey,  and  I  take  the 


54 


ISLAND   OF   SAN   JUAN. 


Opportunity  of  dropping  you  a  lii  e  in  relation  to  tlie  state  of  affairs 
resulting  from  the  landing  of  trooos  on  the  island  of  San  Juan. 

When  I  learned  from  Captain  Fleasonton  that  Captain  Pickett's 
company  •v.vs  ordered  to  San  Juan,  1  thought  it  was  a  very  proper 
movement  for  the  protection  of  American  settlers  from  northern 
Indians,  and  from  the  interference  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's 
agents,  who  had  recently  been  threatening  to  take  one  of  the  settlers 
to  Victoria  for  trial ;  and  1  did  not  antici[»ate  from  it  any  serious  objec- 
tion on  tlie  part  of  the  British  authorities  of  Vancouver's  Island — 
certainly  no  forcible  opposition — troops  at  various  times  heretofore 
having  been  sent  there  at  intervals,  in  small  detachments,  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  settlers  against  the  Indians. 

But  I  happened  to  be  making  an  exploration  of  the  archi])elago  at 
the  time  Captain  Pickett  arrived ;  and  for  several  days  after  ] 
was  anchored  in  this  harbor,  and  I  soon  saw  that  it  was  going  to 
produce  a  great  excitement  unless  managed  with  great  discretion. 
Before  I  saw  Captain  Pickett's  instructions  I  did  not  suppose  it  possi- 
ble that  any  collision  could  arise  between  the  United  States  and  Eng- 
lish troops,  and  I  took  it  for  granted  that  his  duties  would  be  confined 
to  the  objects  specified  hereinbefore.  While  the  boundary  line  still 
remains  imsettled,  and  the  commission  appointed  to  determine  the 
boundary  line  still  existed,  I  did  not  suppose  any  resistance  would  be 
made  by  Captain  Pickett  to  the  landing  of  the  British  troops,  if  they 
thought  pro})er,  as  a  matter  of  protection  to  English  subjects  on  the 
island,  to  station  a  force  on  the  island.  It  did  not  seem  to  me,  under 
present  circumstances,  that  we  should  be  justified  in  going  to  the 
extent  of  re  ^'using  to  allow  them  to  laud  trc»ops  for  peaceable  puri)ose8.  I 
found  thatCaptain  Pickett  haddiff'erent  views,  derived  from  yourinstruc- 
tions,  and  he  confidentially  showed  them  to  me.  I  perceived  that  they 
were  susceptible  of  the  interpretation  he  gave  them,  though  they  were 
not  directly  mandatory  on  the  subject ;  and  supposing  it  possible,  if 
not  probable,  tliat  you  might  have  received  instructions  from  the  War 
,  Department  for  the  occupation  of  the  island,  I  felt  a  delicacy  in  inter- 
fering further  in  the  matter  lest  I  might  be  disturbing  ])lans  well  con- 
sidered by  you  and  determined  on  by  the  government.  At  the  same 
time,  as  I  had  no  intimation  on  the  subject  frt)m  the  State  Department, 
I  felt  considerably  troubled  lest  there  might  be  some  misunder- 
standing. 

I  was  called  u))on  ofliciuUy  liy  my  colleague,  Captain  I'revost,  the 
British  commissioner  for  the  setth'ineut  of  the  water  boundary,  to  take 
steps  individually,  or  in  concert  with  him,  to  ]»rotest  against  the  armed 
occupation  of  the  island,  it  beinj;  intimated  that  British  troops  would 
be  landed.  As  I  did  not  consider  it  my  duty,  as  a  commissioner,  to  inter- 
fere with  the  oiienitions  of  tlie  military  forces  of  either  government,  1 
declined  to  take  the  stejts  indicated.  Tiius  far  no  serious  results  have 
followed  from  the  presence  of  trooi)s  on  the  island;  but  there  is  a  good 
deal  of  excitement  among  the  authorities  of  Vancouver's  Island,  and, 
doubtless,  a  great  deal  of  mortification,  and,  if  I  may  be  permitted  to 
advise,  I  would  recommend  caution,  so  as  to  jirevent  if  possible  any 


ISLAND   OF   SAN   JUAN. 


55 


collision,  wliicli,  I  think,  under  no  circumstances  ought  to  be  allowed 
to  occur. 

However  'pertain  may  he  your  conviction  that  the  boundary  line, 
according  to  the  treaty,  should  run  down  tlie  Canal  de  Haro — and  1 
have  never  hesitated,  when  asked,  to  say  that  such  is  the  ground  I 
have  taken  as  commissioner,  and  that  in  this  I  believe  I  Avill  be  sup- 
ported by  the  government — still  tlie  (question  has  not  been  autliori- 
tatively  decided ;  and  unless  you  have  some  intimation  from  the  War 
Department  which  has  governed  your  actions,  I  fear  that  the  decided 
action  you  have  taken  in  declaring  the  island  American  territory  may 
somewhat  embarrass  the  question.  I  shall  be  greatly  relieved  to  learn 
that  you  have  some  authority  from  the  government  for  the  decisive 
step  you  have  tfiken,  though  I  do  not  pretend  to  ask  or  desire  the  infor- 
mation in  my  official  capacity.  I  thought  it  possible,  if  you  had  no 
directions  from  home,  that  you  might  be  in  error  on  some  point  regard- 
ing the  joint  commission,  and  therefore  have  taken  the  liberty  of  let- 
ting you  know  that  it  still  exists,  notwithstanding  tlie  slow  progress 
made  in  settling  the  boundary  question. 

I  presume  Colonel  Casey  has  fully  informed  you  of  everything  that 
has  taken  ])lace  since  his  arrival,  and  therefore  I  need  say  nothing 
further. 

Hoping  you  will  excuse  the  liberty  I  liave  taken  in  writing  you  tlius 
freely,  I  am,  my  dear  general,  very  respectfully  and  truly,  your  obe- 
dient servant, 

ARCHIBALD  CAMPBELL. 

Brigadier  General  W.  S.  Harney, 

United  States  Army. 

Note  ey  the  Department  of  War. — Sec  (Jeneral  Haniey's  letter 
to  Mr.  Campbell,  August  16,  with  No.        "f  these  ])a])ers. 


the 
take 
med 
)uld 
iter- 
nt,  1 
lave 
j;ood 
and, 
;dto 

any 


•      18  h. 

Camp  Skmiaiimuo,  Aw/u.st  3(i.  18.V.>. 

My  Dear  General:  I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving,  on  the  22il 
instant,  your  letter  of  the  IGth,  placing  me  in  possession  of  the  iacts 
connected  with  the  occu]iation  of  San  Juan  by  some  of  the  tmops 
under  your  command.  For  the  trouble  you  have  taken  to  fun  "  ,  nie 
this  information,  in  the  midst  of  more  pressing  and  imi)orlani  .^lupa- 
tions,  I  beg  to  return  you  my  sincere  thanks.  Had  1  known  your 
views  earlier,  I  shouhl  have  been  free  from  the  embarrassment  expressed 
in  my  letter  to  you  of  the  14th  instant.  The  rumor  in  regard  to  my 
dejuirture  for  Wasliington  city  had  no  foundation  whatever. 

In  a  few  days  I  contemplate  a  trip  along  or  near  the  49th  parallel 
as  far  as  Fort  Colville.  I  shall  return  to  this  place  via  the  Columbia 
river  towards  the  middle  of  October,  by  which  time  you  will  probably 
have  received  answers  to  your  dispatches  to  Washington,  which  I  trust 
may  be  satisfactory  to  you.     Looking  forward  with  pleasure  to  meet- 


66 


JSLAND    OF    SAN    JUAN. 


ing  you  at  th.at  time  at  Fort  Vancouver,  I  aiu,  uiy  dear  general,  very 
respf^etfully  and  truly,  vour  obedient  servant, 

ARCHIBALD  CAMPBELL. 
Brig.  Gen.  W.  S.  Harnky, 

United  tSfafe-s  Anmj. 


ly.   (rvnend  Scolf  to  the  ..'  l/'ufant  General. 

HeADQI'ARTEUS   of   the   ARiMY, 

Portland,  Onyon,  October  22,  1859. 

Sir:  The  general-in-olnef  desires  nie  to  report,  for  the  iafonnatioL 
of  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  he  arrived  In  good  health  at  Fort  Van- 
couver on  the  night  of  the  20th  instant,  and  had  an  interview  with 
Brigadier  General  Harney  the  following  morning. 

The  answer  oj'  that  officer,  of  October  10,  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
in  answer  to  his  coniniunication  <»f  Se])teniber  .■{,  gave  an  account  of 
the  aifairs  existing  at  the  island  of  San  Juan  to  that  period,  since 
when  nothing  of  interest  has  occurred. 

Captain  Pickett,  9th  infantry,  the  judge  advocate  of  a  general  court- 
martial,  ordered  by  General  Harney  to  convene  at  Fort  Vancouver, 
who  arrived  here  yesterday,  just  from  tbe  island,  reports  everything 
quiet,  and  that  the  British  vessels  t)f  war  had  all  returned  to  their 
usual  anchorage  near  Victoria  except  one — the  Satellite. 

The  steamer  Northerner,  on  which  the  general  is  a  passenger,  leaves 
this  place  this  afternoon  for  Puget's  Sound,  and,  on  her  arrival  in  those 
waters,  it  is  his  intention  to  go  on  board  the  government  steamer  Mas- 
sachusetts, at  Port  Townsend,  and  from  thence  open  a  correspond- 
ence with  the  British  authorities.  The  general  does  not  intend  to 
pass  beyond  the  limits  of  the  United  States. 

Commissioner  Campbell  is  on  his  way  from  Culville  to  Fort  Van- 
couver, and  may  arrive  at  the  latter  ]»lace  in  a  day  or  two. 

T  have  tlie  honor  to  be,  very  resppctfullv,  vour  obedient  servant, 

L.  THOMAS, 
.  l.sslsfdiif  Adjutant  (leneraL 

Colonel  SAMUEFi  Cooper, 

Adjutant  General  li.  S.  Army,   IVas/iiiufion.  I).  ('. 


20.   General  Scott  to  the  Adjutant  General. 


Hkadquarter.s  of  the  Army, 
Fort  Townsend,  W.  T.,  ()<toher2i\,  1859. 

Sir:  By  direction  of  the  general-in-chief  I  inclose,  for  the  informa- 
tion of  the  Secr(!tary  of  War,  a  copy  of  his  comnuinication  of  yeater- 


ISLAND   OF   SAN    JUAN. 


07 


day's  date  to  his  excellency  .Fames  Douglas,  govornur  of  Vancouver's 
Island,  and  its  dependencies,  containing  a  i)nt])osition  to  serve  as  a 
basis  for  the  temjwrary  adjustment  of  the  diihcnlties  existing  at  the 
island  of  San  Juan  between  our  government  and  that  of  Great  15rit  i. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Lay,  who  was  charged  with  the  delivery  of  the 
communication,  is  momentarily  expected,  in  the  revenue  cutter  on  this 
station,  with  the  governor's  reply,  and  if  received  in  time  for  the 
mail  a  copy  thereof  will  also  he  inclosed. 

The  general-in-chief  further  intends  to  send  the  substance  of  the 
communications  by  the  overland  mail  from  San  Francisco  to  the  com- 
manding officer  of  Fort  Leavenworth,  with  instructions  to  telegraph 
the  same  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

The  steamer  Northerner  takes  he'*  departure  from  Fort  Townsend 
this  racrung,  via  Victoria,  for  San  Francisco,  where  she  is  exj)ected  to 
arrive  in  ample  time,  w^ith  the  mails,  for  the  steamer  to  leave  that  port 
on  the  5th  proximo.  This  communication  will  be  sent  by  the  North- 
erner. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  vour  obedient  servant, 

L.  THOMAS, 
Assistant  Adjidant  General. 

Colonel  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  General  11.  S.  Armif,  Washington,  1).  O. 


^ 


1  to 


un- 


21.  General  Scott  to  Mr.  Floyd. 

[Tolcgram.] 

FucA  Strait,  October  Tl,  ma  Leavenworth,  November  "1\. 

Hon.  J.  B.  Floyd, 

Secretary  [of  War,]  Washington. 
Two  days  ago  I  dispatched  from  Fort  Townsend  a  communication 
to  Governor  Douglas,  proposing  a  temporary  adjustment  on  the  basis 
suggested  by  the  President  in  his  instructions  to  me.  There  has  been 
no  answer  yet.  No  doubt  the  ])roi)osition  will  be  accepted.  Every- 
thing tranquil  in  these  islands. 

^  WINFIELl)  SCOTT. 


22.  General  Barney  to  General  Scott. 

Headquartkrs  Department  op  Oregon, 

Fort  Vancouver,  W.  T.,  October  29,  1859. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose,  for  the  information  of  the  general- 
in-chief,  a  copy  of  a  communication  from  Lieutenant  Colonel  Casey, 
commanding  on  San  Juan  island,  in  which  he  reports  that  Rear-Admi- 
ral  Baynes,  commanding  her  Britannic  Majesty's  fleet  on  the  Pacific 


68 


ISLAND   OF   SAN   JUAN. 


coast,  was  actually  on  board  the  British  steaniship-of-war  ''Tribune/' 
in  the  harbor  of  San  Juan  island,  at  the  time  Colonel  Casey  landed  his 
troops,  and  when  Captain  Hornby,  of  the  British  navy,  the  commander 
of  the  '*  Tribune,"  informed  the  colonel,  in  presence  of  the  British  and 
American  commissioners,  that  Admiral  Baynes  was  then  at  Esqui- 
mault  harbor,  near  Victoria,  Vancouver's  Island. 

I  mentioned  this  fact  to  the  general-in-chief,  in  conversation  at  the 
time  of  his  arrival  at  this  post,  but  I  deem  it  of  such  imj)ortance  in 
showing  the  duplicity  and  bad  faith  exercised  towards  us  i)y  both  the 
colonial  and  naval  authorities  of  Great  Britain  in  reference  to  San 
Juan  island,  that  I  desire  to  place  it  on  record. 

This  statement  exposes  three  high  officials  of  her  Britannic  Majesty's 
service,  viz:  the  British  commissioner,  the  admiral,  and  the  senior  cap- 
tain of  the  navy  in  these  waters  to  the  imputatioli  of  having  deliber- 
ately imposed  a  wilful  falsehood  upon  the  authorities  of  a  friendly 
nation  to  advance  the  sinister  designs  of  the  British  government  in 
obtaining  territory  that  rightfully  belongs  to  the  United  States. 

Is  it  too  much  to  suppose  tliey  would  be  guilty  of  like  conduct  should 
they  be  permitted  to  assume  a  position  in  whicli  it  would  aid  their 
purposes  ? 

I  am,  sir,  very  res])octlully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  S.  HARNEY, 
Brujodkr  General,  Commandin(/. 

The  Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army.  Port  Ihivnsend, 

Puget's  Sound,  W.  T. 


I 


I 


22  a. 

Fort  Vancouvkr,  W.  T,  October  28,  1859. 

Captain:  In  my  communication  of  the  12th  August,  from  San  Juan 
island,  narrating  the  events  which  had  transpired  on  that  island,  from 
the  time  of  my  arrival  with  a  reinforcement  of  three  companies  of 
infantry  from  Fort  Steilacoom,  it  will  be  seen  that  I  had  requested  an 
interview  with  Rear-Admiral  Baynes,  commanding  her  Britannic 
Majesty's  fleet  on  the  Pacific  coast.  As  I  did  not  in  tbat  communica- 
tion state  the  ]>rincipal  reasojj  which  governed  me  in  not  proceeding 
to  the  flag  slii}*  (Jaiigos,  for  the  ])urpose  of  having  an  interview  with 
the  admiral  on  board  tbat  ship,  in  tlie  harljor  of  Esquimault,  I  have 
thouglit  it  due  to  myself,  tbat  tbat  reason  slioiild  l)c  made  known  to 
the  {.general  commanding  tbe  dei>artment,  and  1  would  respectfully 
request  that  tbe  following  be  considered  a  part  of  my  conununication 
of  tbe  12tli  August,  JHiVJ,  vi/: 

Soon  after  my  conference  witli  Captain  Hornby,  I  was  informed  by  Mr. 
Campbell,  the  United  States  commissioner,  tbat  Hear-Admiral  Baynes 
was  actually  on  board  tbe  British  steamship  Tribune,  in  the  harbor 
of  San  Juan  island,  at  the  very  time  I  was  informed  by  Captain  Hornby, 
in  the  presence  of  the  British  and  American  commissioners,  that  the 
admiral  was  at  Esquimault  harbor,  twenty-five  miles  distant. 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    JUAN. 


59 


I  was  soinowhat  astonished  at  this,  ami  considered  that  1  had  not 
been  dealt  by  with  that  openness  and  candor  which  tlie  object  to  be 
brought  cibout  seemed  to  demand. 

I  resolved,  notwithstanding  this,  to  comply  with  my  promise  to 
meet  the  admiral  at  Esquimault  harbor;  but  knowing  what  I  did, 
thought  it  not  incumbent  on  me  to  rei)air  on  board  the  Ganges,  for 
the  purpose  of  the  contemplated  interview. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

SILAS  CASEY, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  \)th  Infantry,  Commandhuj  on  San  Juan. 

Captain  A.  Pleasonton, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Department  of  Oregon,  Fort  Vancouver,  IF.  7'. 


23.  General  Scott  to  Mr  Floyd. 

HkAIXJI  AllTERS  OF  THE  AllMY, 

At  Sea,  December  8,  1859. 

Sm:  After  the  dispatch  of  'October  26,  by  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Thomas  to  the  adjutant  general,  I  had  no  oi)portunity  of  communi- 
cating with  the  department  before  the  stepnier  from  San  Francisco  of 
the  2ist  ultimo,  and  in  her  I  embarked  for  ho^ie. 

This  letter  will  be  accompanied  by  copies  of  my  correspondence  and 
orders  on  the  subject  of  the  island  of  San  Juan,  while  I  was  on  the 
Pacific  coast,  viz: 

1.  ]\ly  communication  to  Cxovernor  Douglas,  October  25. 

2.  Hasty  memorandum  by  Liutenant  Colonel  Lay,  October  26. 
[Copies  were  communicated  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thomas'  dispatch.] 

3.  Governor  Douglas  to  me,  October  29. 
My  letter  to  Governor  Douglas,  November  2;  and 
Project  of  a  temporary  settlement,  November  2. 
Governoi"  Douglas  to  me,  November  3. 
My  letter  to  Governor  Douglas,  November  5. 
My  special  orders — sending  troops  from  San  Juan,  November  5. 
Governor  Douglas  to  me,  November  7. 

10.  The  same,  inclosing  deposition,  &c.,  November  7. 

11.  My  letter  to  Governor  Douglas,  November  9. 

12.  Extract  of  instructions  to  General  Harney,  November  9;  and 

13.  Extract  of  instructions  to  Captain  Hunt  furnished  Governor 
Douglas,  November  9. 

14.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thomas  to  Captain  Hunt,  November  9. 

15.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thomas  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Casey,  No- 
vember 9. 

16.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thomas  to  General  Harney,  November  9. 

17.  My  letter  to  General  Harney,  November  15. 

18.  Special  order,  November  15. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  British  governor  having  assured  me  that  he 
entertained  no  design  of  attempting  the  dislodgment  by  force  of  our 
troops  from  the  disjiutcd  island,  I  immediately,  in  order  to  take  from 


5. 

6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 


60 


ISLAND   OF    SAN    .lUAN. 


our  position  every  semblance  of  liostility  or  menace,  took  meaanrcs  to 
reduce  that  force  to  a  sin<jjle  comjtany  of  \jitantry,  witli  its  jiroper  arms 
only,  (for  the  protection  of  American  settlers,)  with  the  understandinj; 
that,  in  the  same  spirit,  one  of  the  vessels  of  war  (the  larjijer)  in  the 
harbor  of  San  Juan  would  also  he  sent  off  at  an  early  day. 

And  here  it  is  proper  to  remark  that,  from  the  beginning  of  tin- 
recent  difficulties,  there  has  virtually  been  a  joint  occupation  of  the 
island  by  our  trooi)s  in  the  land,  and  by  one  or  more  British  vessels  of 
war  in  the  harbor. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  high  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

WIN  FIELD  SCOTT. 

Hon.  John  B.  Floyd, 

Secntori/  of  War. 


23  a. 

Headquarters  of  the  Army, 
Fort  Townsend,  October  25,  1859. 

The  undersigned,  lieutenant  general  and  commanding  in  chief  the 
army  of  the  United  States,  having  been  drawn  to  this  frontier  by  the 
apprehension  of  some  untoward  collision  of  arms  between  the  forces  of 
the  United  States  and  those  of  Great  Britain  in  and  about  the  island 
of  San  Juan,  the  sovereignty  of  which  is  claimed  by  both  nations,  does 
not  hesitate,  in  the  great  interests  of  peace  assumed  to  be  as  important 
to  one  party  as  to  the  other,  at  once  to  submit  for  the  consideration  of 
hfs  excellency  the  following  proposition,  to  serve  as  a  basis  for  the 
temporary  adjustment  of  any  present  difficulty,  until  the  two  govern- 
ments shall  have  time  to  settle  the  question  of  ti*^^e  diplomatically. 

Without  prejudice  to  the  claim  of  either  nation  lo  the  sovereignty  of 
the  entire  island  of  San  Juan,  now  in  disi)ute,  it  is  proposed  that  each 
shall  occupy  a  separate  portion  of  the  same  by  a  detachment  of  infantry, 
riflemen,  or  marines,  not  exceeding  one  hundred  men,  with  their 
appropriate  arms  only,  for  the  equal  ])rotection  of  their  respective 
countrymen  in  their  persons  and  property,  and  to  repel  any  descent 
on  the  part  of  hostile  Indians. 

In  modification  of  this  basis  any  suggestion  his  excellency  may 
think  necessary,  or  any  addition  lie  may  ])roj)ose,  will  be  respectfully 
considered  by  the  undersigned. 

This  communication  will  be  handed  to  his  excellency  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Lay,  an  aiddecamp  of  the  undersigned,  who  has  the  honor 
to  subscribe  himself. 

With  high  respect,  his  excellency's  obedient  servant, 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 

His  excellency  Jamrs  Douglas,  Esq.,  C.  B., 

Oovernor  of  the  Colony  of  Vancouver's  Island 

and  its  dependencies,  and  Vice- Admiral  of  the  same. 


^ 


the 


i 


ISLAND   OK   SAX   JUAN'.  61 


2:5  />. 

Haul  If  jMcmorandinti . 

VlCTDKIA,  V'ANCorVKRS  JsLAM). 

Nifjht  of  October  26,  1850. 

His  oxcellcMcy  Governor  Douglas  autlioiizes  me  U:  say  that,  liaving 
yet  had  no  time  to  consider  in  detail  the  |)ropositio)i  :)tFered  liy  Ijieii- 
tenant  (leMeral  Seott,  nor  to  consult  witli  liis  ofKcial  advisers  here,  he 
is  at  a  glance  satisfied  that  no  ohstacle  exists  t  a  completely  amlcahle 
and  satisfactory  adjustment  (continuing  througliout  the  i)ei-iod  ofdipkv 
mati(^  discussion  respecting  the  title  to  the  island  of  San  Juan,)  either 
upon  the  plan  suggested  by  General  Scott,  or  some  other  that  may  be 
mutually  agreed  to  after  advisement. 

His  excellency  has  reatl  this  memorandum  and  retains  a  copy. 

G.  w.  lay; 

lAi'uicnunt  Colonel  U.  S.  Armij 


VicTouiA,  \'an(J01)Ver's  Island, 
Odoher  29,  1859. 
Sir:  I  iuivc  had  the  honor  of  receiving  by  the  hands  of  Lieutenant 
( /olonel  Lay  your  note  of  the  25th  instant,  communicating  to  mo  the 
reasons  which  have  drawn  you  to  the  iVontier  of  Washington  Terri- 
tory, and  for  the  great  interests  of  peace,  making  a  proi)osition  to  serve 
as  a  basis  for  the  temporary  adjustment  of  the  present  difficulty,  arising 
out  of  the  occupation  of  the  island  of  San  Juan  by  troojis  of  the  United 
States. 

2.  In  the  first  place,  I  beg  you  will  permit  me  to  oti'er  you  my  warm 
congratulations  upon  yttur  arrival  in  this  neighborhood,  and  the  assur- 
ance of  my  earnest  desire  to  cooperate  with  you  in  the  most  cordial 
spirit.  1  thank  you  for  the  frank  and  friendl)  tone  which  characterizes 
your  note,  and  I  trust  you  will  believe  me  when  I  say  that  if  I  am  not 
able  entirely  to  aciccde  to  your  views  it  proceeds  solely  from  the  neces- 
sity which  exists  under  present  circumstances  that  I  should  take  no 
step  which  might  in  the  least  embarrass  the  government  of  her 
Britannic  Majesty  in  any  lino  of  action  which  they  might  think  fit  t^) 
adopt.  Vou  have  been  specially  accredited  1/  the  government  of  the 
[Jnit(!d  States,  and  I  fully  appreciate  the  fact ;  but  1,  on  the  contrary, 
am  not  in  possession  of  the  views  of  her  Majesty's  government  on  this 
matter,  and,  therefore,  am  not  at  liberty  to  anticipate  the  course  thej 
may  think  fit  to  pursue. 

3.  You  propose,  without  prejudice  to  the  claim  of  either  nation  to 
the  sovereignty  of  the  entire  island  of  San  Juan,  that  each  shall  occupy 
a  separate  portion  of  the  same  by  a  detachment  of  infantry,  riflemen, 
or  marines,  not  exceeding  one  hundred  men,  witli  their  appropriate 
arms  only,  for  the  equal  protection  of  their  respective  countrymen  in 


62 


ISLAND    OF    SAN    JUAN. 


their  j)orson.s  and  iiiojK'rty,  and  to  ropul  any  doscont  on  the  part  of 
hostile  Indians.  For  the  reasons  ahove  given  you  can  readily  under- 
stand, sir,  that  were  I  to  aecede  to  this  i)roi)osition  1  should  at  once  he 
committing  her  Majesty's  government,  and  I  helieve  I  should  at  the 
same  time,  on  their  hehalf,  l)e  assuming  an  attitude  which  I  do  not 
think  they  would  now  he  desirous  of  maintaining.  I  admit  that  the 
protection  of  the  citizens  of  l)oth  nations  who  are  now  resident  on  the 
island  is  a  matter  which  cannot  he  overlooked  or  lightly  treated,  hut 
the  principal  protection  that  may  he  required  is  from  dissensions 
amongst  themselves,  and  not  against  hostile  Indians,  from  whom  I  do 
not  apprehend  there  is  the  sliglitest  danger  of  molestation. 

4.  I  again  assure  you  that  I  am  most  cordially  disposed  to  cociperate 
with  you  in  the  frankest  manner  to  Jissist  in  removing  any  and  every 
cause  which  might  unhappily  disturh  the  particularly  satisfactory  rela- 
tions tat  the  present  moment  existing  hetween  her  Majesty's  govern- 
ment and  that  of  the  United  States  ;  and  I  conceive  that  that  end  can 
he  best  attained  l)y  replacing  matters  at  San  Juan  as  they  were  before 
the  landing  of  the  United  States  trooj)s — the  "6•M/?^s•"  established  on 
the  moderate  and  conciliatory  views  laid  down  in  Secretary  Marcy's 
dispatch  to  Governor  Stevens,  of  the  14th  July,  1855. 

5.  An  arrangement  on  that  footing  would  bring  the  whole  aftair  to 
a  conclusion  satisfactory  to  both  i)arties,  and  so  highly  honorable  to 
the  government  of  the  United  States  that  1  feel  sure  it  would  at  once 
remove  any  cause  of  comidaint  which  her  Majesty's  government  might 
be  reasonably  expected  to  entertain. 

6.  I  would  therefore  submit,  for  yourconsideiation,  that  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  small  British  and  American  populati(^n  settled  on  the 
island  there  should  be  a  joint  civil  occupation,  composed  of  the  present 
resident  stipendiary  magistrates,  with  such  assistants  as  may  be  neces- 
sary, and  that  the  military  and  naval  forces,  on  l)oth  sides,  l)e  wholly 
withdrawn. 

7.  Should  it,  however,  hereafter  ap[)ear  that  a  military  force  is  indis- 
pensable for  protection,  I  can  see  no  objection  to  such  a  force  being 
landed  upon  San  Juan,  with  such  understanding  as  the  British  and 
American  authorities  may  mutually  determine  upon. 

8.  It  is  no  doubt,  sir,  fresh  in  your  reccUection  that  the  sole  reason 
assigned  to  me  by  General  Harney  tor  the  occupation  of  San  Juan  was 
to  protect  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  from  "insults  and  indigni- 
ties" offered  them  by  the  British  authorities  at  Vancouver's  Island. 
In  my  reply  I,  in  the  most  earnest  and  emphatic  manner,  rei)udiated 
the  aspersion  and  endeavored  to  prove  to  General  Harney  that  for  the 
cause  alleged  there  was  no  necessity  for  the  presence  of  United  States 
troops  on  the  island  of  San  Juan;  and  I  therefore  begged,  for  the  sake 
of  pea(  3,  that  he  would  withdraw  the  troops.  He,  however,  declined 
to  do  so,  upon  the  plea  that  he  had  no  assurance  that  American  citi- 
zens would  continue  to  be  free  from  molestation  from  the  British 
authorities.  I  feel  confident,  sir,  that  I  need  not  renew  to  you  my 
assurance  that  the  British  authorities  in  Vancouver's  Island  have  no 
intention,  under  existing  circumstances,  to  interfere  Avith  any  of  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States  who  may  be  resident  upon  San  Juan;  and 
I  therefore  anticipate  that  a  consideration  of  these  facts,  together  with 


I 
I 


ISLAND   OF   SAN    JUAN. 


63 


ake 
lied 
;iti- 
.ish 
my 
no 
the 
md 


those  hetbro  mentioned,  will  remove  any  ditHenlty  you  may  have  a[)- 
prehended  tuiiehinj;  the  withdrawal  of  the  Tiiited  States  troops  from 
San  Juan,  and  1  earnestly  trust  will  induee  you  to  entertain  with  favor 
the  j)roj)osition  I  have  made. 

9.  I  hope,  sir,  I  may  have  the  jtleasure  of  meetinj;  y<m  personally, 
when  minute  details  could  he  so  much  hetter  discussed  than  hy  letter; 
and  it  would  indeed  he  a  source  of  ^ratitieation  to  me  to  have  the  honor 
of  welcominjj;  to  the  shores  of  Vancouver's  Island  an  officer  so  hi<j;hly 
distinguished  as  he  whom  1  now  have  the  honor  of  addressing,  and 
who,  I  heg,  will  allow  me  to  suhscrihe  myself  as  his  must  ohedient, 
humble  servant, 

JAMES  DOUGLAS. 

Tiieutenant  General  Wixfield  Scott, 

Commandbm  in  Chief  the  Army  of  the.  United  States. 


23  f/. 

Hkadquarters  of  the  United  States  Aumy, 
False  Dungenness  Harbor,  W.  T.,  Woveniher  2,  1859, 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  communication  of  the  29th 
ultimo,  (the  receipt  of  which  has  heen  nuich  delayed  hy  winds  and 
fogs,)  in  reply  to  mine  dated  four  days  earlier. 

It  is  with  regret  I  learn  that  the  basis  for  the  settlement  of  the  imme- 
diate San  Juan  difficulty  I  had  the  honor  to  submit  has  not  received 
your  acceptance,  and  that  sentiment  is  deepened  at  finding  myself 
unable  to  accept  your  proposed  substitute.  We  ought  not,  however, 
to  despair  of  finding  the  means  of  maintaining  the  peace  of  the  frontier 
till  the  good  sense  and  good  feelings  of  our  governments  shall  have 
had  time  to  supervene  and  directly  t(^  dis})ORe  of  the  wliole  subject  of 
the  disputed  island  forever. 

Your  excellency  seems  to  regard  the  preliminary  evacuation  of  that 
island  hy  the  American  troops  as  a  sine  qua  mm  to  any  adjustment  of 
the  innnediate  question  before  us.  I  am  sure  that  at  the  date  of  the 
instructions  which  brought  nic  hither,  and  in  the  anxious  interviews 
between  Mr.  Secretary  Cass  and  her  Britannic  Majesty's  minister, 
Lord  Lyons,  residing  near  the  government  of  the  United  States,  no 
such  suggestion  was  made  by  his  lordship,  or  it  would  not  only  have 
been  communicated  to  me,  but  have,  in  all  probability,  stopped  thi;; 
mission  of  peace. 

You  "submit  for  [my]  consideration  that  for  the  protection  of  the 
small  British  and  American  population  settled  on  the  island  there 
should  be  a  joint  civil  occupation,  composed  of  the  present  resident 
stipendiary's  magistrates,  with  such  assistants  as  may  be  necessary, 
and  that  the  military  and  naval  forces  on  both  sides  be  wholly  with- 
drawn." 

It  strikes  me,  as  a  decisive  objection  to  this  basis,  that  if  a  magis- 
trate (judge  or  justice  of  the  peace)  could  be  legally  (except  by  treaty 
between  sovereign  powers)  established  on  neutral  territory,  such  func- 
tionary could  iiot  be  subjected  to  the  orders  of  any  officer  of  the  United 
States  army,  nor  even  to  the  direct  control  of  the  President  of  the 


t 


64 


ISI.AN'I)    OF    SAN    .lUAN. 


United  StutoN,  though  iii>pc)iiiU'(l  hy  iin  American  territorial  governor 
claiming  jurisdiction  over  the  disputed  territory,  and  theretoru  not  to 
be  considereed  a  (it  person  to  l»e  intrusted  with  matters  alFecting  the 
peace  of  two  great  nations.  IJesides,  1  luive  a(h>pted  the  im]»res8ion  of 
my  countrymen  generally  on  tliis  frontier  that  the  few  citizens  settled 
on  the  San  Juan  island,  thcuigh,  like  all  other  American  pioneers, 
brave  and  ])ossessed  of  eflective  weaj)ons  for  defense  and  attack,  do  in 
reality  stand  in  need  of  troops  for  protection  not  only  against  predatory 
bands  of  Indians  coming  from  foreign  parts,  but  also  from  such  bands 
residing  within  our  own  limits.  A  nuirauding  descent  of  this  kind 
was  made  but  a  few  weeks  since  upon  the  village  of  Whatcom,  in  Bel- 
lingham  bay,  when  a  small  detachment  of  soldiers  was  actually  sent 
from  the  disputed  island  to  protect  the  villagers  against  a  threatened 
renewal  of  tlie  outrage  !     (I  am  but  just  returned  from  that  village.) 

Moved  by  the  foregoing  considerations  and  the  spirit  of  peace  which 
is  known  to  animate  our  governments,  I  will  respectfully  ask  your 
excellency  to  review  your  decision  on  my  original  proposition^  which, 
the  better  to  show  its  probable  workings  if  adopted,  I  have  somewhat 
elaborated  in  the  accompanying  ^'' Projel  of  a  temporanj  settlement,  d'c." 
I  am  persuaded  that,  on  nuiture  reflection,  you  will  find  nothing 
in  it  to  hurt  English  pride  or  to  j»rejudice  English  interests,  but 
nuich  to  soothe  past  irritations  on  both  sides  and  to  prevent  any  local 
conflict.  Tiie  details  of  the  plan  are  no  doubt  susceptible  of  im])roved 
modifications,  but  T  must  candidly  say  that  I  do  not  see  how  I  can 
positively  consent  to  a  change  in  tlu'!  principle. 

Highly  appreciating  the  i)crsoual  compliments  of  your  excellency, 
and  reci}>rocating  the  kind  feelings  which  promi»ted  them,  i  have  the 
honor  to  remain,  with  liigh  consideration,  your  excellency's  nu)st  oIkj- 
dient  servant. 

WINFIEfJ)  SCOTT. 

His  excellency  J.-vmks  Dougl-a?!,  Eh(\.,  C.  Ij., 

Governor  of  the  Colony  of  Vuncouver's  Island  and 

its  dependencies,  and  Vice- Admiral  of  the  same. 


23  e. 

Projet  of  a  temporary  settlement.,  d'c. 

Whereas  the  ishmd  of  San  Juan,  in  dispute  between  the  governraent« 
of  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  is  now  occupied  by  a  detach- 
ment of  United  States  troops ;  protection  against  Indian  incursions 
having  been  petitioned  for  by  American  citizens,  resident  thereon,  and 
against  such  occupation  a  formal  protest  has  been  entered  on  behalf  of 
her  Britannic  Majesty's  government  by  his  excellency  James  Douglas, 
esquire,  C.  B.,  governor  of  the  colony  of  Vancouver's  Island  and  its 
dependencies,  and  vice-admiral  of  the  same — 

It  is  now^  proposed  by  Lieutenant  General  Scott,  commanding  in 
chief  the  army  of  the  United  States  in  behalf  of  his  government,  and 
in  deference  to  the  great  interests  of  the  two  nations,  that  a  joint  occu- 
pancy be  substituted  for  the  present  one,  which  proposition  being 


ISLAND   OF    SAN   .lUAN. 


66 


arccptcd  liy  liis  oNcollinicy,  it  is  liorcbv  stiimliitud  and  agrcod  1»et\vt'en 
the  said  Scott  and  tlio  said  Douglas  that  tiio  suhstitutiou  without  pro- 
jiidice  to  the  chiim  of  cither  goverjuneut  to  tlie  sovereignty  of  the  entire 
ishrul,  and  until  that  question  shall  he  aniieahly  settled,  shall  eonsist 
of  two  detachments  of  infantry,  riflemen,  »»r  mai'ines  tf  the  two  nations, 
neither  detachment  of  more  than  one  hundred  men,  vith  tiieir  appro- 
priate arms  only,  and  to  I'e  itosted  in  separate  camps  oi'  (quarters  for 
the  e<[ual  i»rotectiou  of  their  respective  countrymen  on  the  island  in 
persons  and  property,  as  also  to  repel  descents  of  marauding  Indians. 
And  whereas  pending  such  joint  occu[)ation  a  strict  police  over  tiie 
island  will  he  necessary  to  ihe  maintenance  of  friendlv  relations 
between  the  troops  of  the  two  nations,  as  well  as  good  order  among 
the  settlers,  it  is  further  stipulated  and  agreed  between  the  i)arties, 
signers  (tf  these  presents,  tliat  the  connuanding  officer  of  each  detach- 
ment composing  the  joint  occupation  shall  be  furnished  with  an  authen- 
ticated copy  thereof  by  the  respective  signers,  to  be  regarded  as  a 
warrant  and  command  to  the  American  commander  from  the  said 
Scott,  and  to  the  ]5ritish  commander,  from  the  said  Douglas,  to  seize 
and  confine,  or  to  banish  from  the  island,  any  person  or  persons  what- 
soever found  or  known  to  be  engaged  in  fomenting  any  (quarrel  or  mis- 
understanding between  the  officers  or  men  of  one  of  the  detachments 
and  the  officers  or  men  of  the  other,  and,  further,  to  treat  in  like  man- 
ner all  other  offenders  against  the  peace  and  good  order  of  the  island ; 
it  being,  however,  expressly  understood  and  enjoined  that  such  measures 
of  correction  shall  only  be  a]»plied  to  American  citizens,  or  persons 
claiming  to  be  such,  by  the  American  commander,  or  to  British  subjects, 
or  persons  claiming  to  be  such,  by  the  British  commander. 


>i"r 


imentti 

^etach- 

ksions 

.,  and 

lalf  of 

iglas, 

id  its 


|ng  m 
,  and 
occu- 

Ibeing 


23/. 

VicToiUA,  Vancouver's  Island, 

Novcinhcr  3,  1859. 

Sjk:  Lieutenant  Colonel  Lay  yesterday  placed  in  my  hands  your 
dispatch  of  the  2d  instant,  conveying  to  me  your  sentiments  upon  the 
subject  of  my  proposal  for  the  temporary  adjustment  of  affairs  in  con- 
nection with'  Sail  fFuan,  and  informing  me  that  you  are  unable  to 
accei)t  that  pi'oposal. 

2.  I  regret,  sir,  for  many  reasons,  that  you  did  not  accede  to  my 
suggestion  of  a  joint  civil  occu])ation  as  a  temporary  expedient  for 
preserving  traquillity,  and  especially  so  because  the  course  you  j)ropose 
to  me  of  a  joint  military  occupation  is  one  which  I  cannot  assent  to, 
or  carry  into  effect,  without  the  sanction  and  express  instructions  of  my 
government. 

3.  I  am  authorized  to  maintain  all  treaties  as  they  exist,  but  not  to 
alter  the  provisions  or  to  disregardthe  stipulations  of  any  ;  and,  in 
short,  I  am  sensible  that  it  would  not  be  advisable  for  me  to  anticipate, 
by  any  action  on  my  part,  the  instructions  I  may  soon  receive  from 
her  Majesty's  government,  unless  there  was  an  evident  and  imperative 

Ex.  Doc.  10 5 


66 


ISLAND    OF    SAN   JUAN. 


necessity  for  tlie  adoption  of  such  a  course,  wliicli  necessity,  in  my 
opinion,  does  not  exist  in  tlie  present  instance. 

4.  I  conceive  tliat  protection  against  all  ordinary  danger  to  which 
either  British  subjects  or  American  citizens  residing  on  the  island  of 
8an  Juan  are  exposed  may  he  fully  attained  without  resorting  to  tlie 
ex  reme  measure  of  a  joint  military  occupation ;  and,  moreover,  the 
expediency  of  affording  protection  to  individuals  Avho  may  settle  on 
territory  tlie  sovereignty  of  which  has  not  been  determined  may  justly 
h(.  questioned.  Protection  under  such  circumstances  can,  indeed, 
h  irdly  he  considered  as  a  duty  incumbent  on  governments ;  and,  on 
my  part,  I  am  not  left  in  duubt  cii  the  subject,  as  my  instructions 
direct  me  to  announce  AvJth  reference  to  this  colony  that  protection 
cannot  be  afforded  to  persons  who,  by  wandering  beyond  the  precincts 
0+'  the  settlements  and  the  jurisdiction  of  the  tril)unals,  voluntarily 
expose  themselves  to  the  vii^lence  or  treachery  of  the  native  tribes. 

5.  You  must  permit  me,  sir,  further  to  add,  that  her  Majesty's 
authorities  in  this  colony  have,  with  res])ect  to  the  United  States,  com- 
mitted no  violation  of  existing  treaty  stipulations,  nor  been  guilty  of 
any  ac<"  of  discourtesy  Avhatsoever  towards  the  government  of  that 
nation,  but  have  on  all  occasions  diring  the  late  exciting  events 
exhibited  a  degree  of  forbearance  Avhicli  will,  I  trust,  be  accejited  as  a 
guarantee  that  by  no  future  act  will  Ave  seek  to  impair  the  pacific  rela- 
tions existing  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States. 

6.  Should  you,  sir,  after  the  explanations  1  have  herein  given  in 
reference  to  my  official  })owers  and  jiiisitiini,  proceed  to  carry  out  your 
pacific  mission,  and  divert  the  iarge  military  force  now  on  San  Juan 
of  its  meiiaoaig  attitude  by  removing  it  from  the  island,  we  will 
instantly  withdraw  the  British  lural  foi^e  now  maintained  tliere ;  and 
as  soon  as  I  receive  tl'e  instructions  of  my  government,  I  shall  be  glad 
to  cooj)erate  with  you  in  arrangiiuj;  a  plan  for  the  temporary  mainte- 
nance of  order  and  protection  of  life  and  property  upon  the  island. 

7.  In  the  meanlime  you  may  rest  assured  that  we  will  not  disiurb 
the  ^'status"  of  San  Juan  by  taking  possession  of  the  island,  or  by 
assuming  any  jurisdiction  there  to  the  prejudice  of  the  position  in 
which  the  question  of  title  was  ])laced  by  Mr.  Secretary  Marcy  and  lier 
Majesty's  representative  in  the  year  1855. 

H.  Again  assuring  you  of  my  desire  to  act  with  you  to  the  utmost  of 
])ower  in  the  most  cordial  manner  and  with  the  utmost  frankness  and 
sincerity,  and  renewing  to  you  my  expressions  of  high  consideration 
and  respect,  1  have  the  honor  to  remain,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and 
iiumble  servant, 

JAMES  DOUGLAS. 
liimtonant  General  Winfiklu  Snyri, 

Commondiuij  in  Chief  the  Anny  of  the  United  States. 


23  if. 

llEAl)QliARTKR,S  OF  THE  UnI'IKI)  StATE.S  ArMY, 

Fahe  Diingmncss  Harbor,  W.  T.,  November  5,  1859. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  a  second  communication  from 
your  excellency  dated  the  3d  instant.     Being  assured  therein  thut 


ISLAND    OF   SAN   JUAN. 


67 


glad 


there  is  no  intention  on  your  part  to  attempt  to  dislodge,  hy  force,  the 
United  States  troops  now  in  the  temporary  occnpation'of  the  island  of 
San  Juan,  witliout  instructions  to  that  effect  from  your  government, 
and  heing  perfectly  persuaded  that  the  very  cordial  relations  which 
now  happily  suhsist  hetween  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain 
render  the  receipt  of  such  instructions  extremely  improhahlc,  I  do  not 
hesitate  at  once  to  order  the  numher  of  the  United  States  troops  on 
that  island  to  be  reduced  to  the  small  detachment  (Captain  Pickett's 
company  of  infantry)  originally  sent  hither  in  July  last  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  American  settlers  (such  protection  heing  petitioned  for 
hy  them)  against  neighboring  and  northern  Indians. 

A  copy  of  my  orders  in  the  case  I  inclose  herewith  for  the  informa- 
tion of  your  excellency.  Tlicy  will  be  fully  executed  as  soon  as  i)rac- 
ticahle  by  the  employment  of  the  United  States  jtropeller  Massachusetts, 
the  only  craft  suited  to  the  ])uri>ose  in  these  waters. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  with  high  consi<leration,  your  excel- 
lency's most  obedient  servant, 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 

His  excellency  James  Uoikjlas,  Esq.,  C.  B., 

Governor  of  the  Colony  of  Vancouver  s  Island 

and  its  dependencies,  and  Vicc-Admiral  of  the  same. 

After  the  foregoing  communication  was  dispatched,  the  general-in- 
chief  determined  to  leave  Captain  Hunt's  company  on  the  island,  instead 
of  Captain  Pickett's,  and  a  copy  of  his  order,  after  modification,  was 
subsequently  sent  to  Governor  Douglas  to  replace  tlie  one  previously 
transmitted.     Tlie  following  is  a  co[)V  of  the  order  as  finally  issued. 

h.  THOMAS, 
A.sNlstant  Adjutant  (reneral. 


'IW  h. 


ration 
and 


[Special  Orders  No.  — .] 

IlKAlHirAllTKRS   OF   THK    ArJIY, 

U.  S.  Propeller  Masxarhmetty^.   IV.  T.,  November  5, 185'). 

As  soon  as  practicable  Lieutenant  (^)l(inel  Casey  or  other  commanding 
officer  on  the  island  of  San  Juan  will  i>r(Hved  to  send  therefrom  all  tlie 
companies  under  his  orders,  except  Captain  Hunt's,  to  the  posts  to 
which  they  had  previously  l)elonged,  viz:  ctuupany  I  of  the  4th  in- 
fantry to  Fort  Townsend  ;  company  A  of  the  4th  and  H  of  tlie  9th 
infantry  to  Fort  Steilacoom  ;  company  1)  of  the  Itth  infantry  to  Fort 
Bellingham;  and  last,  the  companies  of  the  3d  artillery  to  Fort  Van- 
couver. 

Captain  Hunt  and  his  comi)any  and  Assistant  Surgeon^  (>raig  Avill 
remain  on  the  island  till  further  orders  for  the  protection  of  the  Ameri- 
can settlers. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Casey  will  cause  the  heavy  guns  on  the  island  to 


68 


ISLAND    OF   SAN    JUAN. 


be  replaced  aboard  of  this  pro])eller,  and  will  send  the  light  battery  to 
Forts  Townsend,  Bellinghain,  and  Hteilacooni. 
By  command  of  Lieutenant  General  Scott. 

L.  THOMAS, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


28  i. 

Victoria,  Vancouver's  Island,  November  7,  1851). 

Sir:  I  haA'e  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  communication  of  tiie 
5th  November,  announcing  your  intention  to  order  the  withdrawal  of 
certain  companies  of  United  States  troops  now  in  temporary  occupation 
of  the  island  of  San  Juan,  and  your  intention  to  leave  Captain  Pickett's 
company  of  infantry  for  the  protection  of  the  American  settlers  against 
neighboring  and  northern  Indians,  and  transmitting  a  copy  of  your 
orders  in  that  case  to  the  commanding  officer  in  the  island  of  San  Juan. 

2.  I  shall  have  much  pleasure  in  communicating  your  intention  to 
her  Majesty's  government,  who  will  no  doubt  accept  it  as  a  proof  of  the 
desire  of  the  United  States  to  restore  the  former  status  of  the  disputed 
territory. 

3.  I  trust,  sir,  that  instructions  will  be  issued  to  the  officers  of  the 
United  States  directing  them  to  abstain  from  all  acts  in  the  disputed 
territory  which  are  calculated  to  provoke  conflicts,  and  in  no  case  to 
attempt  to  exclude  British  subjects  liy  force,  or  to  interfere  with  them 
in  any  manner,  or  to  exercise  sovereign  or  exclusive  rights  within  the 
disputed  limits;  and  on  our  part  her  Majesty's  authorities  will  be 
enjoined  to  abstain  from  any  acts  of  interference  or  of  exclusive  juris- 
diction until  the  question  of  title  is  settled. 

4.  In  that  way  I  sincerely  hope  that  all  collision  may  be  avoided. 
With  every  .assurance  of  esteem,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your 

most  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  DOUGLAS. 
Lieutenant  General  W.  Scott, 

Commanding  in  Chief  the  United  States  Army. 


23/ 

Victoria,  Vancouver's  Island,  November  7,  1851>. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  to  you  herewith  a  deposition  which 
has  been  forwarded  to  me,  made  by  one  William  Moore,  a  British  sub- 
ject, concerning  his  having  been  ai)prehended  by  the  United  States 
authorities  on  San  Juan  island,  and  compelled  to  work  in  tlie  trenches, 
and,  when  released,  dei>rived  of  the  sum  of  seventy-five  dollars. 

2.  I  bring  this  matter  to  your  notice  with  the  full  assurance  that  you 
will  cause  it  to  be  investigated,  and  such  reparation  made  as  the  cir- 
cumstances may  demand. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JAMES  DOUGLAS. 

Lieutenant  General  WixriELi)  Scott, 

Commanding  in  Chief  the  Arni)j  of  the  United  States. 


•■ 


ISLAND   OF    SAN   JUAN. 


69 


i^- 


23/ 

[Iiiclosurc] 

I,  William  Moore,  state  as  follows: 

I.  That  I  am  a  British  Lorn  subject,  and  a  native  of  Sligo,  in  Ireland. 

II.  I  have  been  trading  with  my  canoe  between  Victoria  and  Bellevne 
island  for  nearly  two  months,  dealing  in  onions,  ])otatoes,  bread,  milk, 
and  sometimes  liquor,  taking  Avitli  me  on  several  trips  from  two  to  five 
gallons  at  a  time. 

III.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  16tb  September  last  I  sold  to  a 
party  of  the  name  of  Powell,  who  is  an  employe  of  tlie  Hudson's  Bay 
Company,  a  bottle  of  rum,  for  which  I  received  the  sum  of  one  dollar. 
Powell  returned  shortly  after  he  took  the  rum  away,  and  asked  me  if 
I  was  on  good  terms  with  an  American  of  the  name  of  Crow;  I  said  I 
had  never  been  on  bad  terms  with  him.  About  an  hour  after  this 
occurred,  I  saw  tliis  party — Crow — and  the  sheriff  coming  down  towards 
my  tent.  The  sheriff  said,  "I  have  a  warrant  for  you,  my  man,  and 
want  you  to  come  along  with  me."  I  went  with  him  to  the  court- 
liouse_,  and  arrived  there  about  8  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

IV.  I  was  tried  the  same  day,  and  the  judge  (Crosbie)  said  I  was 
guilty,  and  ordered  me  to  the  guard-house  till  next  day.  I  was  then 
put  into  a  tent  witli  six  or  seven  soldiers,  who  were  prisoners,  and 
after  I  had  been  tliere  about  half  an  hour  the  sheriff'  said  he  had 
orders  to  searcli  me,  and  accordingly  took  my  purse,  containing  §1G0. 

V.  On  the  morning  of  the  ITtli  the  prisoners  turned  out  to  work, 
and  I  answered  to  my  name,  when  it  was  called,  and  subsequently 
went  to  work  in  the  trenches,  rolling  stones  and  shoveling  earth  there. 
Previously,  however,  to  going  to  work  I  asked  the  sergeant  of  tlie 
guard  if  I  was  to  work  with  the  rest ;  when  he  replied,  "that  he  had 
orders  from  Captain  English,  the  officer  of  the  day,  to  put  me  to  work 
with  the  rest." 

VI.  I  worked  in  the  trenches  till  the  prisoners  were  called  in  to 
prepare  for  dinner,  and  between  2  and  3  o'clock  a  constable,  by  the 
name  of  Cutler,  took  me  to  the  court-house.  Judge  Crosbie  then  told 
a  constable  to  take  seventy-five  dollars  from  my  purse,  which  was 
lying  on  the  table,  Avhich  he  did,  and  gave  me  the  rest  of  the  money, 
and  I  was  then  informed  that  I  was  discharged.  Judge  Crosbie  never 
asked  me  if  I  was  a  British  or  American  subject. 

his 

WILLIAM  M   MOOPvE, 

mark. 

Sworn  at  Victoria,  on  this  sixth  day  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-nine,  before  me,  having 
been  first  read  .over  and  explained  to  the  said  William  Moore,  who 
seemed  perfectly  to  understaml  the  same. 

DAVID  CAMERON,  C.  J. 

I,  Richard  K.  Powell,  employe  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com])any,  at 
Bellevne  island,  state  as  follows :  That  I  ])ersonally  saw  William 
Moore  at  work  in  the  trenches,  on  Bellevne  island,  on  the  ITth  Se^)- 


70 


ISLAND   OP   SAN   JUAN. 


tember  hist,  along  with  other  prisoners,  and  I  believe  he  was  so  put 
to  work  in  consequence  of  orders  from  the  court,  or  Judge  Crosbie, 
the  magistrate  on  the  island. 

R.  li.  POWELL. 

Subscribed  in  presence  of  us,  who  have  hereunto  set  our  names  as 
witnesses. 

(D)     JOHN  COPLAND,  of  Yates  street,  Victoria. 
(D)     WILLIAM  YILLEC'K,  of  Esquimault. 


2^k. 

Headquarters  op  the  Army, 
U.  S.  ProjteUcr  3Iassachusetts,  W.  T.,  November  9,  1859. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt,  at  the  same  time, 
of  your  two  notes  of  the  same  date,  the  7th  instant. 

I  am  pleased  to  learn  that  "  her  Majesty's  authorites  [on  San  Juan 
island]  will  be  enjoined  to  abstain  from  any  acts  of  interference  or 
of  exclusive  jurisdiction  [in  respect  to  American  citizens]  until  the 
question  of  title  is  settled." 

In  the  same  spirit  I  had  earlier  deterniined  to  instruct  our  command- 
ing officer  on  the  island  to  allow  no  person  claiming  to  be  a  function- 
ary of  Washington  Territory  to  interfere  with  any  British  subject 
residing  or  happening  to  be  on  the  same  island  whilst  it  shall  remain 
in  dispute  between  our  respective  governments;  and  I  shall  add  this 
further  instruction,  that  if  any  British  subject  should  become  a  disturber 
of  the  peace  of  tlie  island,  or  a  seller  of  strong  liquors  to  American 
soldiers,  without  permission  from  their  commander,  the  latter  shall 
represent  the  case  to  the  nearest  British  authority  and  respectfully  ask 
for  the  instant  removal  of  tlie  offender;  and  if  afterwards  he  shall 
return  to  the  island  Avithout  permission,  the  American  commander 
may  expel  him  therefrom  without  further  ceremony. 

I  touch  the  complaint  of  William  Moore,  supported  by  his  deposition  | 
presented  to  me  by  your  excellency,  with  great  reluctance — first,  be- 
cause the  wrong  done  him,  if  any,  was  mainly  at  the  hands  of  a  judge, 
I  presume,  of  Washington  Territory,  and  consequently  beyond  my 
control;  and,  second,  because  I  do  not  doubt  that  Moore  has  grossly  mis- 
stated or  exaggerated  his  case.  I  am  at  a  distance  from  the  island 
and  from  every  officer  who  may  have  known  anything  of  the  trans- 
action in  question,  and  am,  moreover,  in  the  act  of  taking  my  departure 
for  Wasliington,  but  sliall  refer  the  matter  si)ecially  to  liieutenant 
Colonel  Casey,  the  present  commander  on  tlie  island,  who  will  investi- 
gate the  complaint  carefully,  and  who,  I  am  sure,  will  take  pleasure  in 
redressing,  as  far  as  may  be  in  his  power,  any  wrong  Moore  may  have 
sustained.     And  your  excellency  will  not  fail  to  perceive  that  I  have 


ISLAND    OF   SAX   JUAN. 


71 


in  my  instructions  to  Captain  Hunt,  as  shadowed  above,  taken  mea- 
sures to  guard  against  future  interference  with  British  subjects. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  with  high  consideration,  your  excel- 
lency's most  humble  servant, 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 
His  excellency  James  Douglas,  Esq.,  C.  B., 

Governor  of  the  Colony  of  Vancouver's  Idand 

and  its  dependencies,  and  Vice-Admiral  of  the  same. 


[liiclosure.] 

The  following  extracts  of  communications  addressed  from  the  head- 
quarters of  the  array  to  different  commanders  were  furnished  to  his 
excellency  Governor  Douglas,  with  the  general-in-chief's  letter  of 
November  7,  1859  : 

1.  "  The  general-in-chief  wishes  it  to  be  remembered  that  the 
sovereignty  of  the  island  (San  Juan)  is  still  in  dispute  between  the 
two  governments,  and,  until  definitively  settled  by  them,  that  British 
subjects  have  equal  rights  witli  American  citizens  on  the  island. 

"L.THOMAS, 
'' Assistant  Adjutant  General." 

[To  Captain  Hunt,  commanding  company  C,  4th  infantry,  San  Juan 
island.] 

2.  "For  your  information  and  guidance  I  put  under  cover  with  this, 
copies  of  the  general's  connnimications  to  the  governor  of  Vancouver's 
island,  dated  the  5th  and  9th  instant,  respectively,  as  also  a  copy  of 
his  si)ecial  order  on  the  same  subject.  These  papers  will  show  the 
spirit  in  which  it  is  expected  you  will  execute  the  delicate  and  im- 
portant trust  confided  to  you,  the  general  having  full  confidence  in 
your  intelligence,  discretion,  and  (in  what  is  of  equal  importance  in 
this  case)  your  courtesies. 

"L.  THOMAS, 
'^Assistant  Adjutant  General." 


23  I. 

Headquarters  or  the  Army,  U.  S.  Propeller  Massachusetts, 
Of  Port  Tottmsend,  W.  T.,  November  9,  1859. 

Sir:  Your  company,  witli  only  its  appropriate  arms,  is  to  be  left 
alone  on  San  Juan  island,  when  you  will  revert  to  the  instructions 
from  the  headquarters  of  the  department  of  Oregon,  dated  July  18, 
1859. 

For  your  information  and  guiilance  1  put  under  cover  witli  this, 
copies  of  tiie  general's  communications  to  the  governor  of  Vancouver's 


'■  >  : } 


^il) 


i» 


72 


ISLAND   OF   SAX   JUAN. 


Island,  (luted  tlie  r)th  and  9th  instant,  rospoctively,  as  also  a  copy  of 
liis  special  orders  on  the  same  suhject.  These  papers  will  shoAV  you 
the  spirit  in  which  it  is  expected  you  will  execute  the  delicate  and  im- 
portant trust  confided  to  you,  tlie  general  luaving  full  confidence  in 
yuur  intelligence,  discretion,  and  (in  what  is  of  c(j[ual  importance  in 
this  case)  your  courtesies. 

It  is,  further,  tlic  direction  of  tlio  general  that  after  the  departure 
of  Captain  Pickett's  company  you  occu])y  his  part  of  the  camp,  wliere 
your  men  will  he  hetter  sheltered  during  the  winter,  and  also  ho 
turther  removed  from  the  estahlishment  of  the  Hudson's  Ba}'  Company. 
Captain  Pickett  will,  of  course,  he  at  liherty  to  take  hack  to  Fort  Bel- 
lingham  the  property  carried  over  to  the  island,  such  as  doors,  Avindow- 
sash,  c^'c,  as  also  his  company  property,  hut  it  is  hoped  that  some  part 
of  the  excellent  shelter  he  erected  may  he  transferred  to  you. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  ohedient  servant, 

L.  THOMAS. 

Captain  Lewis  C.  Hunt, 

Commandhuj  Company  C,  Ath  Infantry,  San  Juan  island. 


2. 

o 


23  m. 


Headqitarters  of  the  Army,  U.  S.  Propeller  Massachusetts, 

Of  Fort  Townsend,  W.  T.,  Novcmher  9,  1859, 

Sir  :  I  herewith  put  under  cover,  for  your  information  and  govern- 
ment, the  following  papers,  viz  : 

1.  A  copy  of  Special  Orders,  dated  Novemher  5,  1859. 

2.  An  open  packag    for  Captain  Hunt. 

I  am  desired  hy  the  general-in-chief  to  add  that  he  wishes  you  to 
leave  with  Captain  Hunt's  company  two  efltective  suhalterns. 

I  inclose  a  coi)y  of  an  affidavit  made  at  Victoria  the  Gtli  of  Octoher 
last,  hy  William  Moore,  claiming  to  he  a  British  suhject,  who  com- 
plains of  injustice  done  him,  not  only  on  the  part  of  the  civil  authori- 
ties of  Washington  Territory,  hut  on  that  of  the  military.  His  state- 
ment is  no  douht  greatly  misstated  and  exaggerated,  hut  the  general 
Avishes  you  to  make  a  careful  examination  of  the  case  and  redress,  as 
far  as  may  he  in  your  poAvcr,  any  wrong  Moore  may  have  sustained. 
He  wishes  you,  liirther,  to  furnish  the  colonial  secretary  of  Vancouver's 
Island  with  the  results  of  your  examination. 

1  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  ohedient  servant, 

L.  THOMAS, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Silas  Casey, 

Officer  Commanding  at  San  Juan. 


ISLAND   OF   SAN   JUAN. 


73 


23  n. 

Headquarters  op  the  Army,  U.  S.  Propeller  Massachusetts, 
0^'  Fort  Townsend,  W.  T.,  November  9,  1859. 

General:  By  direction  of  the  gencral-in-chief  I  inclose  for  your 
information  and  guidance  the  following  papers,  viz : 

1.  Copies  of  the  general-in-chief's  communication  to  his  excellency 
Governor  Douglas,  dated  the  5th  and  9th  instant. 

2.  A  copy  of  Special  Orders,  dated  the  5th  instant. 

3.  A  copy  of  my  letter  to  Captain  Hunt,  dated  the  9th  instant. 
These  papers  will  show  you  to  what  extent  the  general  has  interfered 

in  the  affairs  of  the  department  of  Oregon,  except  that  he  has  made 
free  use  of  the  United  States  propeller  Massachusetts,  on  board  of 
which  vessel  he  made  his  headquarters. 

Captain  Hunt  will  be  left  on  the  island  of  San  Juan,  under  your 
instructions  of  July  18,  modified  by  my  letter  to  him  dated  the  Tth 
instant ;  but  the  general-in-chief  wishes  it  to  be  remembered  that  the 
sovereignty  of  the  island  is  still  in  dispute  between  the  two  govern- 
ments, and,  until  definitively  settled  by  them,  that  British  subjects 
have  equal  rights  with  American  citizens  on  the  island. 

Captain  Fauntleroy  represents  tliat  the  Massachusetts  leaks  badly, 
and  that  repairs  are  necessary,  wliich  can  better  be  done  at  San  Fran- 
cisco this  winter.  The  general-in-chief  concurs,  but  gives  no  orders 
on  the  subject. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfullv,  your  obedient  servant, 

L.  THOMAS, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Brig.  Gen.  W.  S.  Harney, 

Commanding  Department  of  Oregon,  Fort  Vancouver,  W.  T. 


23  o. 


as 


I 


Headquarters  of  the  Army, 
St.  Helen's,  Oregon,  November  15,  1859. 

Sir  :  Intending  at  the  first  moment  to  urge  that  the  two  departments 
on  the  Pacific  should  be  thrown  back  into  one,  and  being  aware  of 
your  preference  for  that  having  St.  Louis  as  its  headquarters,  I  have 
already  suggested  to  you  a  change.  Another  motive  has  just  occurred 
to  me  for  renewing  the  subject. 

I  have  no  doubt  that  one  of  the  preliminary  demands  which  will  be 
made  by  the  British  government  upon  ours,  in  conn<3ction  %vith  your 
occupation  of  the  island  of  San  Juan,  will  be  your  removal  from  your 
present  command. 

In  such  an  event  it  miglu  be  a  great  relief  to  the  President  to  find 
you,  by  your  own  act,  no  longer  in  that  command. 

I  make  the  suggestion  from  public  considerations  solely,  and  have 
not  received  the  slightest  hint  to  that  effect  from  Washington. 

To  take  effect  in  conformity  with  your  own  wishes,  I  inclose  here- 

Ex.  Doc.  10 6 


74 


ISLAND   OF   SAN   JUAN. 


with  a  conditional  order  to  repair  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  assume 
the  command  of  the  dejiartment  of  the  west. 

If  you  decline  the  order,  and  I  give  you  leave  to  decline  it,  please 
throw  it  into  the  fire;  or,  otherwise,  hefore  setting  out  for  the  east, 
call  your  next  in  rank  to  you,  and  charge  him  with  the  command  of 
the  department  of  Oregon. 

We  have  been  forced  into  this  river  by  a  defect  in  a  boiler,  and  to 
take  in  a  new  supjdy  of  coal.  I  may  not  have  time  to  hear  in  reply 
from  you  on  this  side  of  the  continent,  unless  we  arrive  at  San  Fran- 
cisco too  late  for  the  Panama  steamer  of  the  20th  instant,  which  we 
begin  to  fear. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 

Brig.  Gen.  W.  S.  Harney, 

Commandhuj  Department  of  Oregon,  Fort  Vancouver,  W.  T. 


23^. 

[Special  Order  No.  — .] 

Headquarters  of  the  Army, 
>S'^.  Helen's,  Oregon,  November  15,  1859. 

Brigadier  General  Harney  will  repair  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and 
assume  command  of  the  department  of  the  west.  Colonel  Wright, 
9th  infantry,  or  the  next  senior  present,  will  be  charged,  until  further 
orders,  Avith  the  command  of  the  department  of  Oregon,  and  will  be 
instructed  to  repair  to  Fort  Vancouver. 
By  command  of  Lieutenant  General  Scott. 

L.  THOMAS, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


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24.  General  Harney  to  General  Scott. 

Headquarters  Department  op  Oregon, 
Fort  Vancouver,  W.  T.,  November  17,  1859. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  a  communica- 
tion from  the  headquarters  of  the  army,  dated  St.  Helen's,  Oregon, 
November  15,  1859,  and  signed  by  the  general-in-chief,  inclosing  a 
conditional  order  for  me  to  repair  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  assume 
the  command  of  tlie  department  of  the  west. 

The  general-in-chief  is  pleased  to  express  himself  in  the  following 
language  in  this  communication,  viz: 

' '  I  have  no  doubt  that  one  of  the  preliminary  demands  which  will 
be  made  by  the  British  government  upon  ours,  in  connection  with  your 
occupation  of  the  island  of  San  Juan,  will  be  your  removal  from  your 
present  command. 

"In  such  event  it  might  be  a  great  relief  to  the  President  to  find 
you,  by  your  own  act,  no  longer  in  that  command." 

The  general-in-chief  states  this  is  his  own  opinion  in  the  matter,  as 


ISLAND  OF   SAN   JUAN. 


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he  has  not  received  the  slightest  hint  to  that  f  H^V'Xs  S •'"^''"' 
and  concludes  by  giving  me  the  liberty  of  ^^^-^l^^^.^f  *j  f  .?f  V  .^.,  t^ 
In  rei)lv  to  this  communication  of  the  general -in-chiel,  i  clesue  to 
inform  him  I  am  not  disposed  to  comply  with  such  an  order.  I  do  not 
bS  tCPresident  of  the  United  States  will  be  embarrassed  by  any 
a  ol  of  the  British  government  in  reference  to  San  Juan  island ;  nor 
crnTsuppose  the  President  would  be  pleased  to  see  me  relinquish  this 
command  hi  any  manner  that  does  not  plainly  indicate  his  intentions 
towards  the  public  service.  ,    ,.     ^  x 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  ^^^^^^^^^^^^'g^^ii^RNEY, 

Brigadier  General,  Commanding. 
Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  Neiv  York  tity. 


